VICE President Sara Duterte has condemned the arrest of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a violation of his fundamental rights.
"As I write this, he is being forcibly taken to The Hague tonight. This is not justice -- this is oppression and persecution. This act shows the world that this government is willing to abandon its own citizen and betray the very essence of our sovereignty and national dignity," she said in a statement on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
The vice president criticized the government’s actions, saying they had surrendered a Filipino citizen—and a former leader—to foreign powers. She called it a direct affront to the country’s sovereignty and an insult to every Filipino who believes in national independence.
She further claimed that since her father’s arrest that morning, he had not been brought before any competent judicial authority to assert his rights or seek legal relief.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte echoed his sister’s sentiments, alleging that the arrest was politically motivated.
“This is not the Philippine National Police (PNP) serving a warrant since they cannot even justify their actions. This is a political maneuver of the Bongbong Marcos administration. Be prepared no matter what,” Baste said.
Veronica "Kitty" Duterte, who was present during the arrest, accused authorities of neglecting her father’s medical needs, saying he was being denied necessary healthcare.
She warned that the neglect of his medical needs could further harm his health, underscoring the concerning treatment he received during the arrest.
“They are denying my dad the proper healthcare he needs. They are keeping him confined here and not allowing us to bring him to the hospital. He is getting weaker by the minute,” she said in her social media post.
Meanwhile, neighbors of FPRRD reported that police personnel stationed at the entrance of Doña Luisa Subdivision and outside his residence were withdrawn on the afternoon of Sunday, March 9, 2025. RGP, DEF
