Former Philippine President Duterte En Route to The Hague for Trial
DUTERTE – Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that former President Rodrigo Duterte was forcibly put on a plane to The Hague following his arrest by the ICC.
Rodrigo ‘Roa’ Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, has boarded a chartered flight nearly 12 hours after his arrest at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. According to ABS-CBN News, the flight is bound for The Hague, Netherlands, where Duterte is facing charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Duterte’s arrest on March 11, 2025, stemmed from an ICC warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s controversial war on drugs during his term from 2016 to 2022. The warrant was issued as part of the ongoing investigation into the thousands of deaths and alleged human rights violations linked to the anti-drug campaign.
Reports indicate that Duterte was detained at NAIA upon his return from a trip to Hong Kong. A video circulating on social media showed his partner, Honeylet Avanceña, attempting to prevent authorities from taking Duterte into custody. Despite her efforts, the former president was taken into custody and later escorted to a chartered flight heading to the Netherlands.
Duterte was allowed to bring three companions with him on the flight, including former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who served under Duterte’s administration. Medialdea, a close ally and legal advisor of Duterte, is expected to provide support during the legal proceedings at The Hague.
Before Duterte’s departure, his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, released a strongly worded statement on social media condemning her father’s arrest and extradition.
“Today, our own government has surrendered a Filipino citizen—even a former President at that—to foreign powers. This is a blatant affront to our sovereignty and an insult to every Filipino who believes in our nation’s independence,” the Vice President wrote.
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She further expressed her outrage, stating that her father was being forcibly taken to The Hague. “This is not justice—this is oppression and persecution,” she added.
Duterte’s legal team has yet to issue an official statement regarding the charges. Meanwhile, the ICC is expected to begin formal proceedings once the ex-president arrives in The Hague.