Sara says she could be next after Duterte’s arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte believes she could be the next person the International Criminal Court (ICC) will arrest after her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was taken into custody for crimes against humanity over the war on drugs.

“My mother warned me, told me to be careful because I might be the next target of the ICC,” Duterte told reporters at Villamor Air Base on Tuesday night.

Last year, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV bared that the Vice President has been included in the ICC’s investigation into the drug war because she allegedly green-lit tokhang operations when she was Davao City mayor from 2016 to 2022, as reportedly stated by witnesses who have come forward before the tribunal to testify against her.

The ICC’s investigation covers the killings committed during the drug war from July 1, 2016 to March 16, 2019 – when former president Duterte yanked the country from the Rome Statute.

It also covers the Davao death squad killings between Nov. 1, 2011 to June 30, 2016.

The former president was Davao City vice mayor from 2010 to 2013, during which time his daughter was mayor.

It has been over a year since Trillanes’ statement, but the ICC has yet to confirm whether it would be including the Vice President’s last stint as mayor in the investigation.

Run for president

The former president has asked the Vice President to run for president in the 2028 elections in case something happens to him.

“If I disappear in the political scene, either I was removed or I died or for whatever reason, I told her, ‘I will ask the Philippines to help you when the time comes. Run for the presidency,’” Duterte said in an interview with GMA’s “24 Oras” a day before his arrest on Tuesday.

According to Duterte, he even encouraged the Vice President to emulate his style.

“If you become the president, follow my style and you will be OK. (You) should not be afraid to be jailed,” Duterte told the Vice President.

Duterte added that as a lawyer, he will face the accusations against him.

“I offer no apology. I did what I had to do as I needed to do my job,” Duterte said.

“(If) they can prove it (crimes against humanity), then I’ll go to prison. If I die tomorrow or tonight, I will not wake up. The Filipino people should remember that I loved them and I offered my dedication during my time. Thank you,” he added.

Meanwhile, he maintained that there is no reason for him to reconcile with Marcos as there was no disagreement between them.

“When our paths cross, we can have a chat. That’s life,” he said. –  Bella Cariaso