‘VP Sara tried to stop Duterte turnover to ICC’

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte attempted to stop the turnover of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, after his arrest on March 11, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque revealed yesterday.

In a video message posted on his Facebook page, Roque recalled that Sara tried to file a temporary restraining order (TRO) before a Dubai court when the plane carrying him made a stopover.

However, the Vice President arrived too late – an hour after the plane carrying the former president had already departed from the Dubai airport.

“We were supposed to push for an investigation into why the plane was carrying Tatay Digong but the lawyers at the UAE (United Arab Emirates) said a complaint should be filed by a member of the family. That’s why Inday Sara Duterte hurriedly flew to UAE,” Roque said.

He added that the private plane carrying former president Duterte left Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at 3 a.m., while Vice President Duterte was able to catch a 6 a.m. flight to the UAE.

“I was talking with Ma’am Honeylet on the phone and we are communicating with the lawyers who were waiting in the airport in Dubai, but maybe it was not meant to stop the turnover of Tatay Digong to The Hague,” Roque said.

Prior to the arrest, Roque revealed that Vice President Duterte and her father met in Hong Kong amid reports of his impending detention.

“There was no plan for Tatay Digong to seek asylum in Hong Kong just what others claimed because he returned home as he believed that he did not commit crime and even willing to face these in the Philippines,” he said.

According to Roque, as early as 2023, he had already drafted a petition for certiorari that only needed Duterte’s signature.

“When they (father and daughter) talked, the petition was already out of the question as he did not expect that he will be detained in the ICC,” he said.

Supporters of the former president recently gathered outside the detention center in The Hague to mark the 100th day of his confinement.

Meanwhile, the Vice President is set to lead the “Free Duterte Campaign” in Melbourne, Australia today.