Metro Manila, Philippines – Supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte gathered at the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City on Wednesday, March 11, for a Mass calling for his return to the country, marking one year since his arrest by the International Criminal Court.
Among those who attended the event was Vice President Sara Duterte, who joined supporters in prayer during what organizers called “Bring Him Home Mass.”
The vice president then reiterated that her father was wrongfully taken to The Hague.
“Hindi lang mga Dabawenyos, mga Pilipino galit sa nangyaring pagkidnap kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” she said.
[Translation: Not only Dabawenyos — Filipinos are angry about what happened, about the kidnapping of former President Rodrigo Duterte.]
“It is unthinkable that a government, no matter the political differences with the administration, would send a citizen to a foreign jurisdiction to be detained and tried for crimes against humanity na walang basehan at walang maayos na witnesses,” she added.
The vice president said anger over the arrest continued to this day.
“Isang taon na sila galit at hindi huhupa ‘yung galit hanggang hindi mabalik dito sa Pilipinas si dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte,” she said.
[Translation: People have been angry for a year and that anger will not subside until former President Rodrigo Duterte is brought back to the Philippines.]
Duterte is facing crimes against humanity charges before the ICC over killings linked to his administration’s war on drugs. He remains detained in The Hague as the international tribunal continues proceedings in the case.
Duterte also said the legal team of the former president will continue seeking interim release from the court.
“Napag-usapan namin ng abogado ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na every time mayroong opportunity na mag-apply ng interim release ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay gagawin yun,” she said.
[Translation: We have discussed with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer that every time there is an opportunity to apply for his interim release, we will do so.]
“Kahit pa man ide-deny yun. At alam natin na ide-deny yun kahit pa man anong gawin natin.”
[Translation: Even if it will be denied. And we know it will likely be denied no matter what we do.]
Duterte thanked supporters who continue to pray for the former president.
