On a somber August day in The Hague, a rare family gathering unfolded far from the familiar streets of Davao City. The children of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte—Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City Vice Mayor Baste Duterte, Davao Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, and Kitty Duterte—traveled thousands of miles to visit their father, now detained at the International Criminal Court's (ICC) Scheveningen Prison. Their visit, marked by hope and heartache, comes as the world watches the unprecedented legal proceedings against one of Asia's most polarizing leaders.
Paolo Duterte offered a glimpse into the family's emotional state through a social media post, sharing a photo with his siblings and expressing a longing for reunion. "We carry hope in our hearts that one day, distance will fade and we’ll be whole again with our father. We love you, Pa. #BringPRRDHome," he wrote, capturing the sense of loss and resilience that has come to define the Duterte family's public face since the former president's arrest.
Rodrigo Duterte was apprehended in the Philippines on March 11, 2025, following an arrest warrant issued by the ICC. The charges? Alleged crimes against humanity, specifically extrajudicial killings tied to the infamous war on drugs that defined his tenure both as president and earlier as Davao City mayor. According to official government records, more than 6,000 suspects lost their lives in police anti-drug operations during Duterte's administration. Yet, human rights organizations contend that the real number could be as high as 30,000, accounting for unreported incidents and deaths outside formal police actions. The stark discrepancy in these figures has fueled both outrage and debate, underscoring the deep divisions within Philippine society—and beyond—about the legacy of Duterte's campaign.
As the legal process unfolds in The Hague, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in the Philippines has found itself thrust into the international spotlight. On August 27, 2025, just a day before the Duterte siblings' visit, CHR chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc told GMA News Online that the commission is open to cooperating with the ICC's investigation. "Cooperation with the ICC is within the CHR's mandate, depending on the nature of the request," Palpal-latoc stated, signaling a willingness to bridge the gap between international justice mechanisms and domestic oversight bodies.
The CHR, an independent constitutional office, has long been engaged in its own investigation of the drug war's toll. Palpal-latoc revealed that the commission plans to release an initial report in November 2025, covering 400 cases. However, he acknowledged significant hurdles, particularly in accessing evidence. "Access to evidence remains a challenge, as police have withheld information citing policies under the previous administration," he explained. This lack of transparency has hampered efforts to establish a clear and comprehensive record of events—a problem that has plagued both local and international probes into the drug war's deadly outcomes.
In an effort to address these obstacles, the CHR is actively pursuing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Police (PNP). The intended goal? To improve data sharing, foster cooperation, and provide training that would enhance the quality and scope of investigations—not only into the drug war but also across other human rights concerns. "The agreement would eventually cover drug war related investigations," Palpal-latoc noted. Though the MOA was expected to be signed earlier in 2025, leadership changes within the PNP caused delays. Still, the CHR remains optimistic about finalizing the agreement before the year's end.
For many observers, the developments in The Hague and Manila are deeply intertwined. The ICC's case against Duterte is rooted in years of mounting evidence and international pressure, but its outcome may hinge on the willingness of Philippine institutions—like the CHR and PNP—to cooperate and provide critical information. Meanwhile, the Duterte family's high-profile visit serves as a reminder of the personal costs and emotional stakes involved. The image of the four siblings standing together in a foreign city, united by hope and uncertainty, has resonated with supporters and critics alike.
The Duterte administration's war on drugs was, from the outset, both popular and controversial. Backers hailed it as a necessary crackdown on crime, pointing to perceived reductions in street-level drug activity and a sense of restored order. Detractors, meanwhile, decried the campaign as a human rights disaster, citing widespread reports of summary executions, impunity, and the targeting of marginalized communities. The international community, including the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations, repeatedly called for accountability and independent investigations—demands that often went unheeded by Duterte's government.
Now, with Duterte behind bars and facing trial, the Philippines finds itself at a crossroads. The ICC's intervention represents a rare instance of international justice reaching into the highest levels of a sovereign state's leadership. Yet, the process is fraught with challenges. Legal experts note that cooperation from Philippine authorities is essential for the ICC to build a robust case. At the same time, there are fears among some factions that such cooperation could undermine national sovereignty or set a precedent for future foreign intervention.
Inside the Philippines, public opinion remains sharply divided. Some see Duterte's arrest and prosecution as overdue justice for thousands of lives lost and families shattered. Others, including many of his loyal supporters, view the proceedings as a politically motivated attack on a leader who dared to take bold action against crime. The Duterte children's public show of solidarity with their father has only fueled the emotional tenor of the debate, with hashtags like #BringPRRDHome trending among their base.
As the CHR prepares to release its report and the ICC continues its investigation, the coming months promise to be pivotal. Whether the truth about the drug war's full impact will finally come to light remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the story is far from over. The fate of Rodrigo Duterte—and the reckoning with his controversial legacy—will likely shape Philippine politics and international law for years to come.
For now, the Duterte family waits in The Hague, their hopes pinned on a future that feels both distant and achingly close. Back in Manila, investigators and advocates press on, determined to uncover the truth, however elusive it may be. The world watches, mindful that justice, in all its complexity, rarely arrives swiftly or without cost.