Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte criticized the proceedings of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, branding the tribunal as a political instrument allegedly used by Western countries against developing nations.
Talking to supporters gathered outside the ICC detention facility in The Hague, the mayor questioned both the legitimacy of the case and the motives behind the international tribunal’s actions.
“Kani? Botbot man na tanan dinha. Political tool man na sa west ang ICC para tanan kalaban sa west na developing countries dinha nila ipangbutang para magunitan nila. Wala man ni. Buot buot ra man na ilaha,” Duterte said.
He also dismissed the charges as baseless and politically driven.
He further alleged foreign interference in Philippine affairs, particularly by the United States.
“Kolonista man ni sila unya ang ilang pamaagi unya ang ilahang guilt ginagawas nila sa mga musabot ug ingon ana without proper fact checking but actually ang involvement man gyud na sa mga Amerikano dinha sa Pilipinas. Tan-awa ron pagbalik sa mga Amerikano gubot kaayo ang Pilipinas,” he added.
The ICC has been conducting proceedings related to alleged crimes against humanity tied to the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign, which ran from 2016 to 2022.
The Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under the Duterte administration.
However, the ICC maintains that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member of the treaty.
Supporters of the former president have continued to stage demonstrations in the Netherlands and in the Philippines to protest the case, arguing that the country’s judicial system should handle any allegations domestically.
Meanwhile, human rights advocates insist that the ICC process should proceed independently, emphasizing accountability under international law.
