Cong. Paolo Duterte Visits Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte Inside the ICC Detention Facility
PAOLO DUTERTE – The eldest son of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte spoke on his detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Following the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte last March 11, it was Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who immediately flew to The Hague, Netherlands for her father. According to her, she was the only one with a Schengen Visa in their family.
FPRRD was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong. He was detained at the Villamor Air Base for several hours but he and VP Sara were not able to see each other.
At the Senate hearing on the arrest of the former President, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group or CIDG chief Nicholas Torre confirmed not allowing former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to see Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. They only saw each other when he was already inside the ICC detention facility in The Hague.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte stayed in The Hague, Netherlands for more than three (3) weeks. Ahead of the 80th birthday of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte last March 28, his long-time partner, Honeylet Avanceña, and their daughter, Kitty Duterte, arrived in The Hague.
Vice Pres. Duterte returned to the Philippines after finalizing the ICC legal team of their father. Kitty also had to fly back to the country for her studies. Recently, Davao City Congressman Paolo Duterte arrived at The Hague, Netherlands.
Honeylet Avanceña will guide Cong. Duterte for a week before she returns to the country. Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said that her older brother will stay at The Hague until a day before the election as he will return to the country to vote. He is seeking for reelection in their hometown.
Cong. Paolo Duterte and former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte had their father-and-son moment inside the ICC detention facility. According to him, he did not cry as he was reminded by Honeylet not to. Outside the ICC detention facility, he spoke to the Filipinos and admitted his hurt over the detention of his 80-year-old father.
“Masakit talaga pero kung ‘yan ang purpose niya sa life, parang di naman din tama na for an 80-year-old na ang purpose mo ay ilalagay ka sa retirement home na ganito. Retirement home na lang tawag natin dito,” he said based on a post on Facebook.
Cong. Paolo Duterte stressed acceptance on the situation despite the pain it brings. Based on the post, the Davao City First District Representative stressed that they will take it one day at a time.
“Masakit talaga pero ito ‘yung binigay ng Diyos sa atin. Tatanggapin, haharapin na lang one day at a time,” Duterte said.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte revealed that she will return to The Hague. She earlier stressed that her lawyers are “more than confident” to win the impeachment trial against her.