Malacañang has responded to Vice President Sara Duterte’s strong condemnation of her father’s arrest, rejecting her claim that it amounted to “state kidnapping” and emphasizing the legal grounds for the action.
“Papaano magiging kidnapping, eh may warrant of arrest?” said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro during a press conference on Wednesday, highlighting that the arrest was conducted under an official warrant.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte was taken into custody on March 11, 2025, upon his arrival in Manila from Hong Kong. His arrest was carried out based on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has accused Duterte of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s controversial war on drugs. The campaign, which spanned from 2016 to 2022, is believed to have resulted in thousands of deaths, with estimates ranging from 6,000 to as many as 30,000, according to human rights organizations.
Vice President Sara Duterte strongly criticized the arrest, arguing that her father’s transfer to The Hague was unlawful. She urged Filipinos to resist such actions, stating, “Sinasabi ko sa inyong lahat Pilipino kayo ‘wag kayong pumayag na ang isang Pinoy ibigay sa mga dayuhan lalo na pag labas na sa batas ‘yun. This is actually some sort of state kidnapping. Parang ganyan na nangyayari.”
She also suggested that the arrest was politically motivated and linked to the upcoming midterm elections, claiming, “And all because mukhang matatalo sila midterm elections dahil ang lakas ng vote straight sa ating candidate sa PDP Laban.”
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confirmed that Duterte was being transported to The Hague to face charges related to the alleged extrajudicial killings that occurred during his anti-drug campaign. The ICC’s pre-trial chamber has determined that there are reasonable grounds to hold Duterte accountable for crimes against humanity, particularly murder.
In response to the arrest, Duterte’s daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to bring her father back to the Philippines. She argues that the arrest violates national sovereignty and lacks proper legal justification.
The development has sparked mixed reactions across the country. Supporters of Duterte view the ICC’s intervention as an infringement on Philippine sovereignty and an attack on a leader who prioritized national security. Meanwhile, human rights advocates and families of the victims see the arrest as a long-overdue step toward justice.
The case is expected to be legally complex, particularly due to the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019. However, the ICC asserts that it still holds jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country is a member.
As the legal battle unfolds, the situation highlights the ongoing debate over justice, accountability, and the Philippines’ role in international law enforcement.