VP Sara, ex-president Duterte in HK for PDP-Laban rally amid ICC arrest warrant rumors

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:04 p.m.) — Vice President Sara Duterte joined her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in Hong Kong for a sortie of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said.

According to the OVP, Sara is set to attend her father’s event with overseas Filipino workers in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

The former president was seen in Causeway Bay on March 8, amid circulating rumors that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant of arrest against him, according to a report by the Hong Kong-based English newspaper "The Standard." 

The newspaper also reported that the former president was accompanied by 10 bodyguards.

Rodrigo reportedly left the Philippines on March 7. Speculation arose that he was leaving the country due to an ICC warrant after a social media video showed him at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Palace Spokesperson Undersecretary Claire Castro said there is no confirmation from Malacañang regarding the issuance of a warrant of arrest by the international tribunal.

"But as what ES (executive secretary) Bersmin and SOJ (secretary of justice) said before, if Interpol will ask the necessary assistance from the government, it is obliged to follow," she said.

Presidential Communications Office chief Jay Ruiz also said that the "government is prepared in any eventuality."

In August last year, Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that a warrant of arrest could be issued against the former president.

The ICC is investigating Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity over the deaths of thousands during the war on drugs implemented during his tenure.

Government data estimates that around 6,000 people were killed during the drug war. However, local and international human rights groups place the death toll at up to 30,000, mostly small-time drug pushers and users.