The ICC’s arrest of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has sparked debate. Vice President Sara Duterte boldly compares it to Ninoy’s tragic assassination.
However, Malacañang dismissed this comparison as baseless.
During a gathering in The Hague, VP Sara shared that her father wants to return to the Philippines, even if it means risking his life.
She said she warned him that he could suffer the same fate as Ninoy Aquino, who was murdered upon his return from exile in 1983.
According to the Vice President, Duterte responded by saying he would accept his fate as long as he could return home.
Malacañang, the presidential office, has rejected the comparison between Duterte and Aquino.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that it is a stretch to equate the former president with the late senator, emphasizing that Aquino did not have a record of mass murder or crimes against humanity.
Castro also pointed out that Duterte once compared himself to Adolf Hitler, expressing a desire to kill millions of drug addicts.
She referenced Duterte’s controversial statement where he said he would be happy to slaughter millions of drug addicts, similar to how Hitler massacred millions of Jews.
Ninoy Aquino Jr., a senator and leading Marcos critic, was assassinated in 1983 which lead to the People Power movement to restore democracy.
Duterte’s 2016-2022 presidency saw a brutal anti-drug campaign, sparking global condemnation and an ICC arrest warrant.
Following his arrest on March 11, 2025, Duterte has been detained at the ICC detention facility in The Hague.
Despite his daughter’s warnings and the potential risks, Duterte has expressed a willingness to return to the Philippines, even if it means facing the same fate as Ninoy Aquino.
VP Sara’s concerns and Malacañang’s rejection highlight the Philippines’ political tensions amid Duterte’s arrest and the push for justice.
VP Sara Duterte compared her father’s situation to that of Ninoy Aquino Jr., warning that he could face a similar fate if he returned to the Philippines.
Ninoy Aquino Jr. was a key opposition figure during the Marcos dictatorship. His assassination in 1983 fueled the People Power movement, leading to the fall of the Marcos regime and the restoration of democracy.
Despite risks, Duterte has expressed his willingness to return, even acknowledging the possibility of facing the same fate as the late senator.
Keep Reading: Duterte Appears in ICC for First Hearing — Next Hearing Set for September 2025
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