Vice President Sara Duterte informed her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, about the 15 individuals onboard a motor banca that went missing in the waters off Davao City — including one of her longtime friends and the child of her mother’s best friend — when she visited him in detention in The Hague on Thursday, Jan. 22.
Duterte said her father was “okay,” and he seemed “pleasant” when asked how he was.
During their meeting, she explained that they only talked about the 15 individuals onboard the MBCA Amejara, an outrigger boat, that disappeared off the waters of Davao Occidental province.
“So ’yun ‘yung discussion namin ni PRRD kanina, kasi ‘yung isa doon ay kaibigan ko sa abogado doon. Matagal ko na siyang kaibigan. Tumulong pa siya sa akin nung mayor ako, unang term ko as mayor,” the Vice President said.
“At yung isa naman, anak ng matalik na kaibigan ng nanay ko,” she added.
Only one individual, a crew member of the boat, was rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
In a statement on Thursday, the Vice President said she and her office are extending their sympathies to the families of those onboard the boat.
“In this time of grief and uncertainty, we hope that the Lord provides you with strength, peace, and hope,” Duterte said in the vernacular.
“Our prayers, support, and trust in God’s mercy and love continue for everyone affected,” she added. (Joseph Pedrajas)
