Manila, Philippines – March 12, 2025 – The fight over Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest is heating up.
Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, daughter of the former Philippine president, has officially taken legal action, demanding that her father be returned to the country following his extradition to The Hague, Netherlands.
The petition for a writ of habeas corpus, filed with the Supreme Court on March 12, argues that the Philippine government acted unlawfully by allowing Duterte’s detention and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
At the helm of this legal battle is former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, who accused the Marcos administration of betraying Philippine sovereignty.
Legal Team Accuses Government of ‘Kidnapping’ Duterte
Panelo, representing Kitty Duterte as the petitioner, did not hold back in his statement against the government’s handling of Duterte’s arrest.
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“This is against the Philippine government for detaining a Filipino citizen, former President Rodrigo Duterte, kidnapping him, and surrendering him to a foreign institution.”
The petition challenges the legality of Duterte’s arrest, arguing that the government violated his constitutional rights and allowed foreign interference in the country’s judicial process.
Panelo insisted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Duterte, given that the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019.
“The Supreme Court will be asked to compel the government to bring him back and to account for its constitutional transgressions on the rights of PRRD and its unpatriotic and abject surrender of the country’s sovereignty to the ICC.”
How Duterte Was Moved to The Hague
Duterte’s legal team moved quickly after his arrest at NAIA on March 11.
The former president was detained upon arrival from Hong Kong under an ICC-issued arrest warrant, citing crimes against humanity over his administration’s violent war on drugs, which left thousands dead.
By Tuesday night, Duterte had already been transported to The Hague, prompting Kitty Duterte and her legal team to take immediate action to reverse the extradition.
Kitty Duterte Leads the Charge for Her Father’s Return
Unlike her politically active half-siblings, Kitty Duterte has mostly stayed out of the limelight—until now.
This legal battle marks her first major involvement in her father’s political affairs, signaling the severity of the situation for the Duterte family.
Kitty, along with Panelo and his son, Salvador Paolo Jr., is now at the forefront of efforts to bring Duterte back to the Philippines.
If the writ of habeas corpus is granted, the government will be required to justify Duterte’s arrest and extradition, potentially forcing his repatriation from The Hague.
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court’s decision on the writ of habeas corpus could determine whether Duterte remains in ICC custody or if the government will be forced to explain its role in his arrest and extradition.
While human rights advocates insist the ICC has jurisdiction, Duterte’s legal team is pushing for his immediate return, arguing that his arrest was unconstitutional and politically motivated.
One thing is certain: Kitty Duterte has now stepped into the political ring, and this legal fight is only just beginning.
