Rodrigo Duterte asks supporters not to discuss ICC Case

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has called on his supporters to refrain from commenting on his ongoing Crimes Against Humanity case at the International Criminal Court.

During a gathering in The Hague to mark Duterte’s 80th birthday, Vice President Sara Duterte conveyed several messages from her father, emphasizing his request for supporters to allow the legal process to proceed without external interference.

"Sabi niya, kung gusto ninyo ipahayag ang inyong pagsuporta, kung gusto ninyo ipahayag ang inyong galit na nararamdaman o kung kasiyahan na nararamdaman, sabi niya, huwag natin pag-usapan ang kaso at huwag natin pag-usapan kung ano ‘yung nangyayari sa kaso. Lalong-lalo na pagdating sa mga complainants o reklamo na nandyan sa loob sa International Criminal Court," said Sara Duterte.

(He said that if you want to express your support, anger, or joy, he asked that you not discuss his case or its developments, particularly regarding the complainants or complaints filed with the ICC.)

Duterte also urged his supporters to back PDP-Laban's Senate candidates in the upcoming elections.

“Sinabi niya, hindi na niya magawa ang mangampanya, tumayo sa stage doon sa Pilipinas at sabihan ang mga supporters kung bakit kailangan natin iboto iyong 10 diretso at wala ng ibang kandidato na i-vote. Kaya sabi niya, ipaabot sa inyo na kailangan niya ang tulong. Kailangan niya ang mga PDP Senators at mga guest candidates ng PDP-Laban,” Sara added.

(He said he could no longer campaign or stand on stage in the Philippines to tell supporters why they should vote for all 10 candidates and no one else. He asked for your help in supporting PDP-Laban Senators and guest candidates.)

Vice President Sara Duterte also relayed a request for media and supporters to respect ICC protocols by refraining from filming the court's detention center.

“Sinabihan ako doon sa loob na pakiusapan kayong lahat kasama na ang media na wag mag-video footage at pictures sa kanilang facade ng kanilang detention facility, lalong-lalo na sa mga tao na pumapasok at lumalabas. Bawal po sa kanilang protocols ang video-han ang kanilang detention facility,” she said.

(I was informed to ask everyone, including the media, not to film or take pictures of the detention facility’s façade, especially of people entering and exiting. Their protocols prohibit such recordings.)

She stressed the importance of adhering to these guidelines, recognizing the ICC’s cooperation in allowing supporters to express their sentiments.

“Sundin natin kung anong protocol nila dito sa videotaping and sa recording, at sa photography. Dahil sa ngayon, nakikita ninyo na napaka-lenient at napaka-cooperative nila sa atin. At nakikita nila na, at tinutulungan nila tayo na maipakita sa mundo kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman natin. Kaya yung mga maliliit na bagay na hinihingi nila na huwag kayo mag-film at mag-videotape ay sundin natin,” she added.

(Let’s follow their protocol for filming, recording, and photography. They have been lenient and cooperative in allowing us to show our sentiments to the world, so let’s respect their small request not to record or take videos.)

Legal representation

Sara Duterte also visited the detention center to collect some of her father’s belongings but was unable to meet with him.

However, she confirmed that Duterte’s common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, and his daughter Veronica Duterte were finally able to visit him after multiple failed attempts.

She revealed that Duterte’s legal team is still in the process of recruiting another lawyer for his defense.

“’Yung legal team niya dalawa na [ang with] papers from the ICC, (There are already two lawyers in his legal team with papers from the ICC,) so we're waiting for the two more lawyers and currently we are recruiting one more lawyer excluding the Filipino lawyer,” she said.

(Two lawyers on his legal team already have ICC accreditation, and we are waiting for two more while recruiting an additional lawyer, aside from the Filipino lawyer.)

Regarding a potential interim release, Sara Duterte stated that discussions were ongoing, but the specifics remain unclear.

“I do not know right now what would be the terms of the interim release if at all there will be an interim release. But I understand that that is one of the items that the lawyers are thinking about and discussing… but the details on that you need to ask the lawyers. I only organize the legal team and his needs inside,” she added.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte remains detained at the ICC facility in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges related to his administration’s drug war.

His next court appearance is scheduled for September 23, 2025, for the confirmation of charges hearing. — DVM, GMA Integrated News

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