To mark the first year of the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands, the “Tay Kami Naman Movement” submitted the second batch of its signature campaign to the Supreme Court.

The group is calling on the High Court to expedite the release of its decision on the cases filed in connection with the alleged kidnapping of the former president.

Senator Robin Padilla joined the group in submitting the signatures, which he said have already reached 238,561.

“Medyo nangangamba na ho ang maraming mga nagmamahal kay Digong dahil isang taon na po siya doon. Kaya nangalap po kami ng mga tunay na pirma, tunay na mga tao na pumirma po para ipakita po sa Supreme Court na naghahangad na po kami lahat ng desisyon nila, “ the senator said.

(Many people who love Digong are beginning to worry because he has already been there for a year. That is why we gathered genuine signatures from real people to show the Supreme Court that we are all hoping for their decision)

The group assured that they will submit additional batches of signatures in the coming days.

Meanwhile, several supporters of the former president also held gatherings in Davao City and Metro Manila to commemorate what they described as one of the saddest chapters in the country’s history and to pray for the immediate release of FPRRD.

Among those who attended a mass held in Davao City was Vice President Sara Duterte, who wore a green shirt—the color used in her signature campaign during the 2022 presidential election.

In an interview, Vice President Duterte did not hide her sentiments over what happened to the former president.

“It is unthinkable that a government, no matter the political differences with the administration, would send a citizen to a foreign jurisdiction to be detained and tried for crimes against humanity, na walang basehan at walang maayos na witnesses,” the vice president said.

(It is unthinkable that a government, no matter the political differences with the administration, would send a citizen to a foreign jurisdiction to be detained and tried for crimes against humanity without basis and without proper witnesses) 

She added, “Galit ang mga tao. Isang taon na sila galit. Hindi huhupa ang galit hanggang hindi mabalik dito sa Pilipinas si dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.”

(People are angry. They have been angry for a year. The anger will not subside until former President Rodrigo Duterte is brought back to the Philippines.)

The vice president also expressed gratitude to supporters of her father for continuing to pray for his return to the country.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating mga kababayan, sa lahat ng mga Pilipino ngayon na nakikiisa kay dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pag-kidnap sa kanya, sa injustice na ginawa sa kanya. Isang Pilipino na kinidnap ng gobyerno dinala sa ibang bansa para doon ay ikulong. Nagpapasalamat kami sa kanilang pagdarasal para sa kanyang kalayaan at maayos na pag-uwi sa  ating bayan,” she said.

(I thank our fellow Filipinos who continue to stand with former President Rodrigo Duterte against the injustice done to him. A Filipino was taken and brought to another country to be jailed there. We are grateful for their prayers for his freedom and his safe return to our nation)

Former President Duterte was brought to The Hague, Netherlands on March 11, 2025, following an alleged arrest order from the ICC in connection with crimes against humanity case linked to his administration’s war on drugs campaign.

Despite the appeal of his defense team for his temporary release due to his advanced age and deteriorating health, the ICC has so far denied the request.

After the four-day confirmation of charges hearing held from February 23-24 and 26-27, 2026, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I is expected to issue a decision within 60 days, roughly by late April 2026, on whether the case will proceed to a full trial. —FSG

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