Vice President Sara Duterte announced over the weekend that a foreign country has agreed to host her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, should his legal team secure approval for interim release from detention.
Speaking before supporters during a gathering in Japan, the Vice President admitted that it took some time before they could finalize an arrangement but expressed relief that a government had committed to receive him.
“It took us a while, but we eventually found a country that said they are willing to accept him,” she said, without disclosing the host nation’s identity.
The former president, who served from 2016 to 2022, is facing multiple international complaints and ongoing cases linked to his administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign, which rights groups claim resulted in thousands of deaths. Calls for accountability have hounded him since leaving office, with several petitions pending before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
While the ICC has sought to move forward with its investigation, Duterte’s allies and family members have consistently argued that he is being politically targeted. The request for interim release, reportedly based on humanitarian grounds, is still under review.
Observers note that arrangements like this — where a third country hosts a high-profile figure awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings — are rare but not unprecedented. Political allies view it as a way to ensure the elder Duterte’s safety and dignity while the legal process continues.
Vice President Duterte’s statement drew mixed reactions online. Supporters of the former president welcomed the development as a chance for him to be treated fairly, while critics said the move only underscored fears that he is seeking refuge from accountability.
For now, the Vice President has chosen not to reveal the name of the host nation, citing confidentiality and ongoing diplomatic discussions.