VP Sara decries ICC over father’s ‘safety’ in ‘inhumane’ detention

Vice President Sara Duterte, in a press release on Sep. 27, questioned the capacity of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to “guarantee the security and safety” of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, citing reports ranging from an untreated toenail to the ex-president falling unconscious in his cell.

“If the ICC is to remain true to its mandate as a court of justice, it cannot turn a blind eye to the health and wellness condition of FPRRD. To deprive an elderly man—abducted, denied his rights under Philippine law, and subjected to surveillance disguised as ‘welfare checks’—of basic dignity and proper care is not justice. This is cruelty,” VP Duterte said.

The vice president added that their family was not immediately informed of the incidents, including laboratory tests the former president had to undergo, according to their camp’s hospital sources.

“Former president Duterte had to be subjected to laboratory tests after being found unconscious on the floor of his room. The family was not informed of the ‘accident’… Even the most basic care for the complaint of an ingrown toenail—easily treatable—cannot be done swiftly,” she shared.

Duterte recalled the report of “sham” welfare checks supposedly conducted by officials reporting back to Malacañang about the ex-president’s condition, calling it an intrusion to exploit Duterte.

“The Philippine Government’s admission that a so-called ‘welfare check’ was surreptitiously conducted confirms that the ICC has allowed agents of the government that abducted Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to intrude upon him and exploit his frail and compromised health. This is … an abuse of power against a vulnerable individual,” Duterte stated.

The vice president also slammed the ICC for “ignoring” calls for her father to have a 24-hour caregiver.

She reiterated that Duterte’s detention following the incidents is “unjust and inhumane,” amounting to “punishment” despite no conviction on any charges.

“The continued detention of Former President Duterte under such troubling conditions is not only unjust but inhumane. It amounts to punishment without having been convicted of any crime,” Duterte said.

Former president Duterte has been in detention for more than six months since March 11, after he was arrested by the Philippine National Police and Interpol following ICC orders charging him with crimes against humanity.

She then reiterated calls for Duterte to be released from detention despite concerns that the former president is a “flight risk” and that there “is no other reason” for him to be detained.

“FPRRD is not a flight risk, has never threatened witnesses or complainants, and has no intent to assume the office of Mayor. There is no other reason for his continued detention except to make him suffer for the complaint of disgraced former Senator,” the vice president explained.

On Sep. 26, Duterte’s legal team filed another request for interim release, arguing that the Marcos administration, which “surrendered” Duterte to the ICC, was “without objection” to the matter.

Duterte also urged the ICC to grant the former president “humanitarian considerations” following the incidents.

“The ICC should act now to rectify this gross injustice and ensure that Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is afforded the proper care and, ultimately, the humanitarian considerations he rightfully deserves,” Duterte said.

The confirmation of charges for Duterte was scheduled for Sep. 23 but was indefinitely postponed for the ICC to further test if Duterte was still fit to stand trial.

However, on Sep. 22, the ICC indicted Duterte for the murders of 76 people between 2013 and 2018, with 57 happening during his presidency and 19 when he was Davao City mayor.