Extended Family Visits Allowed by ICC Detention Unit
The International Criminal Court’s detention unit recently granted an extension for the family of former President Rodrigo Duterte to visit him at Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands. This development was shared by Vice President Sara Duterte during a gathering with supporters outside the detention center on June 3, 2025.
“We are thankful to the ICC detention unit for approving our request to increase the number of visit days for former president Rodrigo Duterte. As far as I recall, visits are now allowed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Thank you for that,” she said in Filipino.
Vice President Sara, along with her mother Elizabeth Zimmerman, Duterte’s former spouse, visited the former president for an hour and a half on that day. This marked their second visit within the week. After their return to the Philippines, Duterte’s brother, Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, his family, and Honeylet Avanceña, Duterte’s common-law wife, are scheduled to visit next.
The family has agreed that at least one relative will stay in The Hague to personally attend to the former president’s needs.
Family Updates and Personal Moments Shared During Visits
During the visit, Sara Duterte updated her father about their family, including her siblings Paolo and Veronica, also known as Kitty. “He’s proud of it,” she said, referring to Kitty’s billboard campaign in Manila.
The former president also playfully teased his ex-wife. “Tinanong nya mama ko kung kilala mo si Honeylet,” Sara recalled, but her mother denied knowing Honeylet.
Concerned about her father’s well-being, the Vice President asked if he was suffering from insomnia. Duterte reassured her, “Wala kong insomnia. Minsan lang di ako makatulog dahil sa kakaisip sa nanay mo.”
Updates on Legal Matters and Support
Sara also told her father about the case status within the limits allowed for non-lawyers. Only family members and legal counsel can visit the detained former president.
The family remains united despite past difficulties, with Elizabeth Zimmerman having sought annulment in 1998 but maintaining civility with Duterte. They share three children: Paolo, Sara, and Sebastian.
Supporters Rally “ICC, Send Duterte Home” in The Hague
On May 31, Sara Duterte celebrated her 47th birthday with supporters at the Laan van Reagan en Gorbatjov in The Hague. The event included a rally themed “ICC, send Duterte home,” attended by senators and former officials.
Her brother Sebastian, who recently won as vice mayor of Davao City alongside their father’s mayoral victory, also spoke during the event.
The former president expressed his deep gratitude to supporters through Sara. “He said, tell them, I am eternally grateful for your showing of support, and I recognize your sacrifice which you have not to do,” she shared. “So, you can now go home. That’s what he said.”
Despite this, some Europe-based overseas Filipino workers pledged their unwavering support. “Hanggang sa dulo, walang iwanan,” they told the Vice President, promising to stay by Duterte’s side until the very end.
For more news and updates on ICC detention unit, visit Filipinokami.com.