Metro Manila, Philippines – A Malacañang official questioned the claim by Vice President Sara Duterte that Filipinos remain angry over the arrest of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying it cannot be assumed that the entire country shares the same sentiment.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said it is unclear how many Filipinos actually feel anger over Duterte’s arrest and detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
“Sana tinanong ninyo siya, ‘Gaano karaming tao ang galit?’” Castro said during a press briefing on Thursday.
[Translation: You should ask her: How many people are angry?]
The vice president earlier said Filipinos remain angry over her father’s arrest and that the anger would not subside until the former president is brought back to the Philippines.
Her remarks came as supporters of the former leader marked one year since Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, and transferred to the detention facility of the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Duterte is facing allegations of crimes against humanity over thousands of killings linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign while he served as president from 2016 to 2019 and during his time as Davao mayor under the Davao Death Squad.
Human rights groups have long alleged that many of the deaths were extrajudicial killings carried out during police operations and vigilante-style attacks, accusations Duterte and his allies have repeatedly denied.
Castro said the government’s decision to surrender Duterte to the ICC was meant to allow the legal process to proceed and ensure justice for all parties involved.
“Dahil itong pagpapadala kay dating pangulong Duterte sa The Hague ay ito ang unang hudyat para mabigyan ng hustisya hindi lamang ang mga biktima ng EJK, pati na rin ang dating Pangulong Duterte,” she said.
[Translation: Sending the former president to The Hague is the first step toward justice not only for the victims of extrajudicial killings but also for the former president himself.]
The palace official acknowledged that supporters of Duterte may feel anger because the former president is facing charges before an international tribunal.
However, she said many Filipinos — particularly those advocating human rights and justice for victims of alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the anti-drug campaign — do not share the same reaction.
“Sa parte ng mga tao na nagsusulong ng human rights at lumalaban sa mga karumal-dumal na pagpatay na bunga ng EJK at war on drugs ni dating Pangulong Duterte, hindi naman sila galit at sila ay nagpupunyagi,” Castro said.
[Translation: For those pushing for human rights and fighting the heinous killings linked to the extrajudicial killings and war on drugs, they are not angry and continue their advocacy.]
The vice president earlier described the arrest as unjustified and said it was “unthinkable” for a government to send a citizen to a foreign jurisdiction to be detained and tried.
