Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday, March 11, that not only Davaoeños but the entire Filipino people are “angry” over what she described as the “kidnapping” of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Her remarks came as supporters marked the anniversary of Duterte’s arrest and transfer to The Hague, where he faces allegations of crimes against humanity related to his controversial anti-drug campaign.
Why this claim needs context
The vice president’s statement accurately reflects her position and rhetoric, but the use of the term “kidnapping” is disputed.
Duterte was arrested in March 2025 following a warrant issued by the ICC and transmitted through international law-enforcement channels. He was subsequently flown to The Hague to face legal proceedings before the court.
Legal experts and fact-checking organizations have said describing the arrest as “kidnapping” or “extraordinary rendition” is misleading because the detention was carried out based on an international arrest warrant tied to an ongoing case before the ICC.
The bottom line
True: Sara Duterte said Filipinos are “angry” and described the arrest as a “kidnapping.”
Missing context: The “kidnapping” claim is a political characterization, not the legal description of Duterte’s arrest.
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Why it matters
The framing of Duterte’s arrest reflects the deep political divide in the Philippines over accountability for the deadly anti-drug campaign, as supporters portray the ICC case as foreign interference while critics view it as a path toward justice for victims.
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