VP Sara prays for Duterte return

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte visited a pilgrim church in Leyte last week and prayed for peace in the country and for the return of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, to the country.

According to a social media post, the Vice President went to the Diocesan Shrine of St. Anthony de Padua in Baybay City in Leyte on Friday. The shrine is a known pilgrim church and is often visited by many devotees.

The Vice President reportedly lit a candle for thanksgiving for all the blessings and prayed for peace for the country.

According to the post, she asked her compatriots to continue loving the Philippines and dedicate themselves to God and the country.

She also prayed that her 81-year-old father, who has been held in a detention facility of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands since last year, would be allowed to return home.

The former president is facing charges for crimes against humanity in connection with his bloody war on drugs when he was president and mayor. Thousands of people were killed in the campaign.