As the camp of Rodrigo Duterte exhausts all possible means for his release and repatriation, Vice President Sara Duterte says that the former president wishes to be cremated if he dies in The Hague, Netherlands, where he is currently detained and awaiting trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
On Monday, July 7, the vice president made her trip to The Hague to visit her father again after two previous trips in March and May. On Tuesday, she told reporters, “He said that if he dies here in The Netherlands, he doesn’t want his body to be brought back to the Philippines. He just wants to be cremated here, and only his ashes should be brought home.”
In response, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he hoped Duterte would be allowed to die in the Philippines. “It’s a very sad information,” the Duterte ally said. “So, sana, kung mamamatay man siya, dito na lang siya mamatay sa Pilipinas, huwag doon sa ibang bansa.”
Efforts to Bring Duterte Home
Dela Rosa had signed the failed Senate resolution drafted by Sen. Robin Padilla to repatriate Duterte.
Meanwhile, the Malacañang declined to comment on Duterte’s supposed wishes to be cremated in The Hague, with Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stating that it was a matter for the Duterte family to discuss.
This comes amid talks of Duterte’s ill health and efforts to bring him home. During his arrest in March, his family and doctor claimed that his blood sugar “shot up” despite insulin treatments. In April, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go called the former president old, “frail, fragile at, sa totoo lang, harmless,” as he pleaded for his release.
Despite his detainment, Duterte won the midterm race for the Davao City mayorship. His son, Davao Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, has assumed the role of acting mayor in his absence.
In June, the ICC denied his camp’s request for his interim release, citing logistical challenges and security concerns for witnesses. Duterte awaits trial by the ICC for crimes against humanity in relation to the war on drugs and extrajudicial killings.
