Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed online claims that her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, would be released from The Hague by next week.
On Tuesday, July 28, Sara was asked to set the record straight about social media claims that her father will return to the Philippines.
The claims came from some supporters of their family who misunderstood the vice president’s remarks to a Filipino community in London, England.
“Sa susunod na pagpapasalamat, makikita ko po siya sa susunod na linggo. Mahal nating lahat at inaantay nating lahat ang kanyang paglabas at pag-uwi sa Pilipinas!” Sara told the crowd over the weekend.
The crowd then repeatedly chanted, “Bring him home!”
Some Duterte supporters misinterpreted Sara’s remarks, believing she meant that her father would be returning to the Philippines next week.
However, Sara was referring to her next visit to her father, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Center in the Scheveningen district of The Hague, Netherlands.
The misunderstanding led some supporters to believe that the former president would be released as early as “next week.”
“Confirmed, Tatay Digong will be released next week. The entire Philippines will celebrate sa pagbalik nya.. Thank you Lord,” a Duterte supporter wrote on Facebook on July 26.
Rodrigo is fondly called “Tatay Digong” by his supporters.
The post has garnered over 249,000 reactions, 9,600 shares, and 15,100 comments from Facebook users.
Sara was later asked to set the record straight about such claims.
“Wala akong sinabi doon sa speech ko na lalabas si PRRD next week,” she said in an interview on July 28.
PRRD refers to the initials of “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.”
“Hindi ko alam kung saan nagsimula ‘yung ganon, pero definitely, wala doon sa transcript na nagsabi ako na lalabas na si PRRD sa ICC or lalabas na si PRRD next week,” Sara said.
“Dahil alam naman natin lahat at nakikita natin sa ICC website ‘yung schedule ng kanyang kaso at kung makikita natin, na walang schedule ng hearing ng release. At ang meron lang scheduled ay ‘yung kanyang trial proper,” his daughter added.
Rodrigo has been detained by the ICC since March 12, 2025.
He is facing three counts of crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder committed in the context of his “War on Drugs” campaign.
Rodrigo’s trial is set to begin on Nov. 16, 2026.
His daughter Sara and other family members have been frequently visiting him in The Hague.
