Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the current government for what she described as a willingness to "abandon its own citizen" and "betray the very essence of our sovereignty and national dignity." She called on Filipinos to recognize the gravity of the situation and accused the administration of sacrificing the country’s sovereignty for foreign influence.
"This is not justice – this is oppression and persecution," Duterte stated. The remarks from Vice President Duterte have elicited reactions across the political spectrum. Some expressed support for her stance on sovereignty, while others argued that the government’s actions align with international law and the obligations of the Philippines under the International Criminal Court.
Former President Duterte’s legal troubles originated from the ICC’s investigation into the deadly anti-drug campaign he initiated during his presidency. Duterte has been accused of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, which he has consistently denied. It remains uncertain how the government will respond to Vice President Duterte’s remarks, which have reignited the debate over the Philippines’ relationship with the International Criminal Court and its stance on sovereignty versus international justice.
The Vice President described the move as a "blatant affront to our sovereignty" and a betrayal of the nation’s independence. Her comments came after reports surfaced that former President Duterte was being taken to The Hague, the International Criminal Court's location, following a warrant for his arrest related to alleged crimes against humanity during his anti-drug campaign.
Vice President Duterte emphasized that the former president had been denied basic legal rights since his detainment earlier and voiced her concern saying, "Since he was taken this morning, he has not been brought before any competent judicial authority to assert his rights and avail of reliefs provided by law." She added, "As I write this, he is being forcibly taken to The Hague tonight."
Vice President Sara Duterte strongly condemned the Philippine government for surrendering former President Rodrigo Duterte to foreign authorities.
