Kitty Duterte is going all out on social media to support to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, following his arrest in connection to to the extrajudicial killings during his controversial war on drugs.
As the Duterte patricarch was flown to The Hague in Netherlands, where the International Criminal Court is situated, the youngest daughter of Duterte penned a letter making a vow to her father.
“I will forever walk with pride knowing that I am your daughter, your blood. I am a Duterte. The strength you raised me with will go untamed. I will stand by the promise I made you today. I love you,” wrote Kitty on Instagram alongside a throwback photo of them together.
The former presidential daughter has strongly spoken out against the arrest of her father on Tuesday, March 11, at Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), airing her dismay as she update her father’s situation in consecutive Instagram stories.
In an Instagram story, Kitty shared a photo of her father, with the caption: “ILLEGAL DETENTION. NO WARRANT OF ARREST, claiming that no warrant was presented when authorities detained him upon their return from Hong Kong.
Kitty claimed that his father was being denied of proper healthcare and forcibly took him on a plane without considering his health condition.
In one video, the younger Duterte was heard cursing at Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, who led the arrest of his father.
In her most recent update, Kitty expressed her concern for her dad’s situation after communicating through a video call.
“A flight lasting more than 8 hours but left with just a sandwich to eat???” she wrote in her Instagram Story on Wednesday morning.
The plane carrying the former president landed in Dubai at 8:03 AM (PH time) on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, Kitty’s mom, Honeylet Avanceña, was also seen airing out her frustration, citing “abuse” over the arrest of her husband.
The Presidential Communications Office earlier stated that the arrest was carried out in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC has filed charges against Duterte for crimes against humanity, linked to extrajudicial killings during his controversial war on drugs.
Duterte’s arrest comes in the midst of the legal battles surrounding his actions during his presidency.
Meanwhile, Bryony Lau, Deputy Asia Director of Human Rights Watch, said the arrest of Duterte is a critical step for accountability in the Philippines.
“His arrest could bring victims and their families closer to justice and sends the clear message that no one is above the law. The Marcos government should swiftly surrender him to the ICC,” he said in a statement.
