Sara Duterte Joins Father In HK For Sortie

Vice President Sara Duterte joined her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in Hong Kong to campaign for senatorial bets on Sunday, March 9, before the Filipino migrant community, even as speculation was rife that the two were evading possible arrest.

The Vice President gave her endorsement to the PDP-Laban senatorial bets in the midterm polls. She also expressed gratitude to pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), who is running for senator under the party.

Former president Duterte left for Hong Kong on Friday night, March 7, to attend the “Pasasalamat kay PRRD with OFWs” meet-up at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai. The event, with overseas Filipino workers in attendance, was made possible by the KOJC of Quiboloy, currently detained at the Pasig City Jail charges of human trafficking and sexual assault.

In Davao City, several police officers belonging to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Regional Mobile Battalion Forces (RMBF) and Aviation Security Group have been stationed at the Davao International Airport purportedly to serve a rumored arrest warrant against former president Rodrigo Duterte, allegedly issued on Saturday by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Police Maj. Catherine dela Rey, however, told The Philippine STAR that the police presence at the Davao airport is for simulation exercises (simex), led by the RMBF group.

“They are only there for purposes of the simex,” Dela Rey said.

She said the simex activity at the airport started on Saturday, and denied the Southern Mindanao Regional Police Office received any rumored warrant of arrest from the ICC against Duterte.

Dela Rey said she does not know if the CIDG or other offices have received a copy of the alleged arrest warrant.

Duterte is facing an ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity for the thousands of people killed in the so-called war on drugs when he was Davao City mayor, and later as president in 2016.

During Sunday’s Hong Kong event, the former president acknowledged the alleged warrant against him.

“I hear I have a warrant from the ICC, or something. Mga p*****ina. They’ve been after me for a long time,” he told the audience of cheering OFWs.

“What was my crime? That I did everything during my time to bring a little peace to the lives of Filipinos?” Duterte added.

He said he is ready to face arrest.

“I will accept it if they will arrest me,” Duterte said.

He then joked with the crowd, asking them to contribute money to build a monument of him beside national hero Jose Rizal when he gets out of jail.

“All I ask is you contribute $5 or $10 (each), so when I get out of prison, build my monument beside Jose Rizal,” Duterte said. “Rizal is holding a book. For me (motions with his hands as if holding a gun pointing outwards).” – With Edith Regalado, Diana Lhyd Suelto