Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on “Reminders” from ICC
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President claimed that the International Criminal Court (ICC) barred them from revealing information about their visits to former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is detained under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands for more than five (5) months now. Currently, the former Chief Executive who is faced with an accusation of crimes against humanity for his drug war awaits the confirmation of charges.
The ICC set the confirmation of charges on September 23. Ahead of the hearing, the foreign court allowed all four (4) Duterte siblings to visit former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte inside the ICC detention facility. According to the Vice President, it is really the request of their father if they would visit him together.
Davao Congressman Paolo Duterte, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, acting Davao Mayor Baste Duterte, and Veronica “Kitty” Duterte granted the request of the former President. According to VP Sara, they will do whatever will make their father happy.
However, recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte announced that they could no longer reveal a lot of information about their ICC visits to former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. According to her, they got “reminders” from the foreign court.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Vice President claimed that the ICC reminded them that there are conditions that should be followed. Thus, they are barred from disclosing what is happening inside.
“Ni-remind kami ng detention unit na mayroong kailangang sundin na mga conditions sa visit. So, from now on, bawal ikuwento kung ano yung mga nangyari sa loob at ano ‘yung mga pinag-usapan sa loob,” Duterte said.
According to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, she can only say that former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is still alive inside the ICC detention facility. Based on the report, with regards to the confirmation of charges of the former President, they are still fixing their schedule to finalize who will be there to visit him.
“But likely, merong relatives na darating. Sigurado ‘yun kasi kailangan talaga na merong — sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan talaga na merong bumibisita sa kanya whenever allowed ng detention unit na pwede magbisita,” the Vice President said.
The Vice President is set to visit Japan before the confirmation of charges of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte on September 23. She will be in Tokyo and Nagoya. Amid the Philippines facing issues on alleged anomalous flood control projects, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that she will not give a free advice.