Sara Duterte arrives in Dubai en route to Amsterdam

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte at the Dubai International Airport ton March 12, 2025. SUPPLIED

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte arrived in Dubai on Wednesday afternoon (March 12), as she made her way to Amsterdam to accompany her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Duterte landed in the emirate aboard Emirates flight EK 337 from Manila. She later posted a message on her official Facebook page thanking Filipinos working at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport who helped her and her father. She also thanked all Filipinos who reached out to her and her family with messages of support. "From you we draw our strength, hope and determination to continue," she said in the Bisaya language. Earlier on Wednesday morning, her brother, Congressman Paolo Duterte, also departed for Amsterdam on a Cathay Pacific flight. Their father, former President Duterte, is currently en route to Rotterdam after a refueling stop in Dubai earlier in the day. The former president was arrested in Manila on Tuesday (March 11), under an ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s controversial war on drugs. He was detained at Villamor Air Base before being placed on a chartered flight bound for the Netherlands.

VP Duterte calls father’s arrest ‘state kidnapping’

Following her father’s arrest, Sara Duterte took to social media to express her strong opposition. She updated her Facebook profile and cover photos to a red ribbon bearing the words “BRING PRRD HOME,” a clear message of support for her father and a call for his return to the Philippines. She also described the arrest as "state kidnapping," a term that has sparked debate among legal and political analysts. Meanwhile, her siblings, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, filed separate petitions for a writ of habeas corpus before the Philippine Supreme Court, demanding that authorities present the former president before the high court and justify his detention. Rodrigo Duterte’s chartered Gulfstream G550 jet arrived at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport at 4:03am for a scheduled refueling stop. Flight tracker Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft, registered under RPC5219, was initially set to depart at 5:15am. but was delayed for several hours, eventually taking off at 11:58am. The aircraft is expected to land in Rotterdam at approximately 5:40pm UAE time. Duterte was accompanied on the flight by former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, a nurse, and a personal assistant. The jet was piloted by Captains Johnny Gulla and Elmo Segovia, under the operation of Challenger Aero Air Corporation. Longtime Duterte ally Senator Bong Go shared photos and videos of the former president during the flight. In one clip, Duterte was seen having a simple meal of fried rice, paratha, bottled water, and fruit juice. At one point, he was heard asking for a soft drink but was informed that only juice was available.

Filipino supporters rally behind Duterte

News of Duterte’s stopover in Dubai spread rapidly among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE. Social media was flooded with posts calling for solidarity, with some urging Filipinos to gather at Dubai airport. One supporter wrote, “Hoping that the UAE royals will intervene.” Others went as far as calling for political asylum for Duterte in the UAE. A commenter identified as Tobirama posted: “UAE, please help our former president Duterte.” Meanwhile, human rights groups and international organizations continue to welcome Duterte’s extradition, viewing it as a step toward justice for the thousands of victims of his administration’s anti-drug campaign. Duterte’s extradition follows an ICC investigation into the thousands of extrajudicial killings linked to his deadly war on drugs from 2016 to 2022. The ICC issued a warrant for Duterte’s arrest, leading to his detention in Manila on Tuesday morning upon his return from Hong Kong where he attended a campaign event for the May 12 elections. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the extradition in a press briefing on Tuesday, saying, “The plane carrying former President Rodrigo Duterte took off at 11:03pm and exited Philippine airspace. The plane is en route to The Hague in the Netherlands, allowing the former president to face charges of crimes against humanity.” Duterte’s legal team has contested the extradition, arguing that the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, thereby invalidating the court’s jurisdiction over him. However, the ICC maintains that it still holds authority over crimes committed while the country was a member of the court. As Duterte’s trial in The Hague approaches, political tensions in the Philippines continue to rise, with protests, legal challenges, and public debates intensifying over the former leader’s fate. ICA/CAM/Expat Media