ICC reminds VP Sara she can't share details of visits to dad Rodrigo

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte can no longer publicly share what her father tells her during her brief visits to his detention facility in The Hague, she said on Monday, September 1, as visitors have been restricted to confirming only that he is "still alive."

In past months, the vice president has taken on the role of spokesperson for former President Rodrigo Duterte, regularly using her visits to relay her father's messages to their family's supporters and sharing updates on his life in detention.

She often shared these during rallies with overseas Filipino workers, who continue to form a key base of support for the Duterte family.

On Monday, after visiting the elder Duterte, the vice president said the detention facility's authorities had reminded her about their policy against disclosing messages from detainees.

"Ni-reminded kami ng detention unit na mayroong kailangang sundin na mga conditions sa visit," Duterte said in an interview. "So, from now on, bawal ikuwento kung ano 'yung mga nangyari sa loob at ano 'yung mga pinag-usapan sa loob."

(The detention unit reminded us that there are conditions for visits that must be followed. So, from now on, we are not allowed to tell what happened inside and what was discussed inside.)

The restriction limits Duterte's kin to the most basic update. "I can only say na President Duterte is still alive. 'Yan lang po. Hanggang dun lang po. Kasi, bawal po magbigay ng mga information na pinag-usapan sa loob," Duterte said.

(That's all. Up to that point only. Because we're not allowed to give information about what was discussed inside.)

The reminder to limit what is shared about their visits comes as Rodrigo Duterte is set to face his confirmation of charges hearing on September 23, where ICC judges will determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

The family's public messaging around the elder Duterte's detention had previously drawn scrutiny from ICC prosecutors.

In June, when the elder Duterte's lawyers sought his temporary release, ICC prosecutors cited statements by his relatives, including the vice president, claiming he had been "kidnapped" by the court, as evidence he might flee if freed.

Asked about the family's attendance at the September 23 hearing, Duterte said they are still finalizing arrangements. "We are still arranging our schedule. So, we don't know yet who will be able to come on September 23 for the confirmation of charges," she said in Filipino.

"But likely, there will be relatives coming. That's certain because someone really needs to visit him whenever allowed by the detention unit," she added.

The elder Duterte was arrested and surrendered to the ICC after the court found reasonable grounds to believe he was responsible for murder as a crime against humanity. The charges stem from his administration's war on drugs during his time as president, and earlier, as Davao City mayor, which left thousands dead.