VP leads ‘Free Duterte Now’ rally in The Hague

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte led another “Free Duterte Now” rally yesterday in The Hague to demand the release of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who remains in the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s custody over charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“This is not about the person. This is not about president Rodrigo Roa Duterte. This is about a Filipino who was illegally taken from his country and brought to another country for detention, to be imprisoned,” Sara said in an interview.

During her recent visit with her father, she said the former president asked if many people would attend the rally.

In response, Sara assured him that the protest would continue regardless of attendance, saying: “Even if no one goes, we will still rally. Even if no one listens to us, we will still speak. We don’t care if there are people or not. We will still speak about what the Marcos administration and the ICC did and what they are doing in the cases.”

Confirming Elizabeth Zimmerman’s earlier description of the former president as “skin and bones,” Sara said that Rodrigo has indeed lost weight and looks “messy.”

However, she denied rumors circulating on social media that her father is confined in a hospital.

“PRD is okay. He is in a good mood now. He is a bit naughty... He also mentioned his girlfriends,” the Vice President said.

Sara also revealed that the ICC has barred the former president’s legal team from releasing any photos of him.

“The lawyers are not allowed to release or take pictures of their clients. If they do it, they may be removed,” she said.

Asked about a possible timeline for her father’s release, Sara said no schedule has been set as the case is still under review.

“What we are waiting for is for the case to be dismissed based on the filings (questioning) the jurisdiction (of the ICC). In the meantime, he should be given an interim release while the lawyers and prosecutors are fighting inside the court. He would be given an interim release because of his age and health, I cannot give him a definitive timeline,” she said.

The Vice President is expected to fly to South Korea on July 27 to attend a gathering of the Filipino community. She will return to Manila on July 28 and confirmed that she has no plans to attend President Marcos’ fourth State of the Nation Address, reiterating her decision to sever ties with the Marcoses.