Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, March 11, urged Filipinos to remain vigilant as she commemorated what she described as the first anniversary of her father’s alleged “extraordinary rendition or kidnapping.”
She said the incident, which she claims trampled on Philippine democracy and the rule of law, should serve as a reminder that the nation’s sovereignty and institutions must be defended against external interference.
Duterte was referring to the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by Interpol on charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
A year later, the former leader remains detained at The Hague.
“Ang pagyurak sa karapatan ng isang indibidwal sa pamamagitan ng mga iregular na proseso ay hindi lamang pag-atake sa katarungan; ito ay hamon sa ating pambansang soberanya,” she said in a video message.
Duterte said the commemoration of the anniversary of the former president’s “kidnapping” is a call for all of us to become vigilant.
“Ang isang tunay na malayang bansa ay pinapatakbo ng sariling mga institusyon na malaya mula sa anumang panlabas na panghihimasok o dikta,” she added.
Duterte called on Filipinos to ensure that the country’s institutions remain free, honest, and strong against attempts to bend justice.
“Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang isang Pilipinas kung saan ang batas ay kalasag ng katarungan at ang ating soberanya ay iginagalang ng lahat,” she said.
“Patuloy nating ipaglaban ang dangal ng ating bansa. Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas—para sa Diyos, sa Bayan, at bawat Pamilyang Pilipino.” (Joseph Pedrajas)
