Former President Duterte breaks his silence with a defiant message on Facebook en route to The Hague: ‘I take full responsibility. This will be a long legal battle, but I will continue to serve my country.’ His statement comes ahead of his first hearing at The Hague, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity. Credit: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1143339897586209
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, where he faces crimes against humanity charges linked to his controversial war on drugs. His transfer to ICC detention marks a historic moment in international law, making him one of the few former heads of state to be held accountable before the tribunal.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte has arrived in the Netherlands to support her father and coordinate with his legal team ahead of his March 14, 2025 court appearance. She has scheduled meetings and is awaiting clearance to visit him at the ICC Detention Unit in Scheveningen.
Duterte’s First ICC Hearing Set for March 14
The ICC has scheduled Duterte’s first hearing for Friday, March 14, 2025, at 1300 GMT at its headquarters in The Hague. This initial appearance will formally present the charges against him, and the former president will be asked to confirm his understanding of the accusations.
Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11, 2025, and immediately transferred to ICC custody. This marks the first time an Asian leader is facing trial at the international tribunal for alleged crimes committed while in office. His legal team is expected to challenge the ICC’s jurisdiction, arguing that the court has no authority over him since the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019.
If the charges are upheld, a full trial could begin in late 2025 or early 2026, with prosecutors presenting extensive evidence, including testimonies from victims’ families, human rights reports, and police records.
Duterte’s Message from the Sky
Before arriving in the Netherlands, Duterte recorded a defiant video message inside the aircraft transporting him to international custody. The video, later released by his legal team, showed the former president addressing the Filipino people and reaffirming his support for law enforcement officers who carried out his anti-drug policies.
“For whatever happened in the past, I take full responsibility. I will front for our law enforcement and military because I ordered them to do their duty to protect the Filipino people,” Duterte stated.
Acknowledging the legal battle ahead, he added: “This will be a long legal proceeding. But I say to you, I will continue to serve my country. So be it. If that is my destiny.”
His statement has sparked intense debate. Supporters argue that Duterte’s leadership protected the nation from crime and drugs, while critics view his words as an implicit admission of the extrajudicial killings that occurred under his watch.
Duterte’s Detention at the ICC Facility
Upon his arrival at Rotterdam Airport, Duterte was transported under tight security to the United Nations Detention Unit (UNDU) in Scheveningen, where ICC detainees are housed.
The UNDU, often referred to as the “Hague Hilton,” provides detainees with private cells, a library, exercise facilities, and limited interaction with other high-profile prisoners. Unlike traditional prisons, detainees here have access to legal resources and scheduled personal activities.
Despite these relatively humane conditions, Duterte now faces the greatest challenge of his political career—from once being a powerful head of state to an ICC detainee awaiting trial in a foreign country.
Sara Duterte Arrives in The Hague to Support Father
Vice President Sara Duterte arrived in Amsterdam on March 13, 2025, at 9:27 p.m. local time. Upon arrival, she was met by Dutch officials and escorted to The Hague, where she is now meeting with her father’s legal team to discuss his defense strategy.
Her office confirmed that she is seeking clearance to visit the former president in detention and has scheduled media engagements to express the Duterte family’s position. She is expected to hold a press conference on March 14, 2025, just hours before her father’s ICC hearing, where she will address the case and reiterate her stance that her father’s trial should be handled by Philippine courts, not an international tribunal.
Earlier this week, Sara Duterte condemned the ICC’s actions, calling them “a violation of Philippine sovereignty”. She also criticized President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for allowing the arrest and transfer, stating that the move was “a betrayal of the Filipino people”.
The vice president’s trip is part of a broader effort to mobilize political and legal support for her father. The Duterte family’s lawyers have announced plans to file a habeas corpus petition with the Philippine Supreme Court, seeking his return to the Philippines.
Reactions from the Philippines and International Community
Duterte’s arrest has polarized public opinion in the Philippines.
Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have welcomed his detention.
Meanwhile, Duterte supporters have staged protests in Manila and Davao City, demanding his return to the Philippines for trial. Some lawmakers aligned with the Duterte camp have also called for a review of the Philippines’ cooperation with the ICC, arguing that it undermines national sovereignty.
President Marcos Jr. has stated that his administration will respect international obligations, though he has suggested that Duterte should be tried domestically. The Philippine government is currently assessing its next steps in handling the case.
A Defining Moment for Global Justice
Duterte’s case is shaping up to be a landmark trial in international law. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment for human rights violations.
His trial will be a major test of the ICC’s ability to hold world leaders accountable and will send a clear message that no one is above international law.
For continued updates on Duterte’s ICC trial, follow Asian Journal.
