Duterte Family Marks Somber Anniversary of Former President's Hague Transfer
DAVAO City First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte described March 11 as a deeply painful milestone, recalling the day his father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, was taken to The Hague. He emphasized that this moment remains profoundly distressing for both the family and their supporters across the nation.
A Reminder of Betrayal and Service
"March 11 is not just a date. It is a reminder. A reminder of loyalty repaid with betrayal, of service answered with persecution, and of a nation that will one day demand accountability from those who allowed this injustice to happen," Pulong stated in a Wednesday declaration. He contrasted his father's extensive efforts to serve the Philippines with the subsequent treatment he received, specifically referencing the decision to permit the burial of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
Pulong characterized that earlier move as a gesture of reconciliation aimed at healing historical divisions. However, he asserted that recent events feel more like a profound betrayal rather than an expression of gratitude for his father's service. "The Filipino people will remember. And history will judge," he declared, highlighting his father's aggressive campaign against crime and illegal drugs and the public's awareness of those who opposed his administration.
Vice President Sara Duterte's Call for Justice
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte marked the anniversary as a pivotal test for Philippine democracy, due process, and the rule of law. She stated that her father's extraordinary rendition underscores a critical principle: the law must never be weaponized for political or personal interests.
"Walang sinumang Pilipino ang dapat pagkakaitan ng proteksyon ng ating Saligang Batas. Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang isang Pilipinas kung saan ang batas ay kalasag ng katarungan at ang ating soberanya ay iginagalang ng lahat (No Filipino should be deprived of the protection of our Constitution). Let us work together to uphold a Philippines where the law serves as a shield of justice and where our sovereignty is respected by all," she articulated in a statement on March 11, 2026.
The vice president urged all Filipinos to actively defend the country's dignity and sovereignty. She emphasized the paramount importance of maintaining independent institutions that operate free from any external interference or undue influence.
Background on the Hague Transfer
Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was taken into custody in The Hague on March 11, 2025, following an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. This warrant was related to alleged crimes against humanity linked to his administration's controversial war on drugs. While Philippine authorities and the ICC officially describe the transfer as a formal arrest procedure, some commentators and supporters have characterized the event differently.
Critics and Duterte allies have labeled it a kidnapping or a politically motivated action, particularly noting that, according to accounts from supporters, no physical warrant of arrest was read or presented directly to the former president. Instead, they claim the copy was only read through a telephone communication, adding to the controversy and emotional weight of the anniversary for the Duterte family and their political base.
