Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said demonstrations outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) would not help the legal case of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, even as supporters are set to hold another rally in The Hague this week.
Speaking after visiting the former president at the ICC detention facility on Monday, July 27, Duterte said she informed him about the planned “Free Duterte Now” rally scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, outside the court.
She said she warned her father that the protest could work against his defense.
“Pinaalam ko ito kay President Duterte at sinabi ko sa kanya na I do not think this will help your case,” she said.
([Translation: I informed President Duterte about it and told him that I did not think it would help his case.)
Duterte said their camp observed that the ICC had taken note of statements made during previous demonstrations and used them as part of its decision-making.
“Since from previous rallies, napapansin namin na kinukuha ng ICC ‘yung mga sinasabi natin. At ginagawa nilang basehan sa kanilang mga desisyon.”
(Translation: From previous rallies, we’ve noticed that the ICC takes what we say and uses it as a basis for its decisions.)
According to Duterte, the former president questioned the need for another rally.
“And then he said, bakit pa kayo mag-rally? What for?”
Duterte said she told her father the gathering was intended to allow supporters to express their anger over what they consider an injustice and to make their sentiments heard internationally.
“Sabi ko, para lang malabas namin ‘yung galit namin. At marinig ng buong mundo ‘yung galit ng mga Pilipino sa ginawa sa iyo.”
(Translation: I told him it was so we could express our anger and let the whole world hear the anger of Filipinos over what was done to you.)
She said the former president ultimately left the decision to his supporters despite her warning.
“But I warned him that it will not help his case. And he said, okay na. Kung ano ‘yung gusto ninyo.”
(Translation: But I warned him that it will not help his case. He said, ‘It’s okay. Do whatever you want.)
The former president is being tried before the ICC over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign. He is set to face trial on November 30, the first Asian leader to face the tribunal.
