Filipinos in Australia Urged to Back Duterte’s ICC Release

JUNE 24,2025

MELBOURNE, Australia — Vice President Sara Duterte has asked Filipinos in Australia to urge their government to support the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Speaking to a crowd in Melbourne over the weekend, Sara said her visit aimed to raise awareness about her father’s case. She encouraged Filipinos to reach out to the Australian government.

“Convince the government of Australia to look into the case of President Duterte,” she said. “He’s been receiving injustice from the ICC.”

Human Rights Groups Protest Sara’s Visit

While Sara tried to rally support, several Filipino human rights groups in Australia protested her visit. They wrote to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, criticizing Sara’s campaign as misleading and dangerous to international justice.

Melba Marginson, head of the Australians for Philippine Human Rights Network, said Sara’s efforts have divided Filipino-Australian communities. The groups called her trip a “politically motivated campaign” by someone linked to disinformation and impunity.

They also reminded the public of Australia’s past actions. The country has denied entry to foreign visitors involved in human rights violations or questionable political activities.

Reversal of Roles

Critics highlighted a striking irony. In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte expelled Australian nun Patricia Fox from the Philippines. Her alleged offense: joining fact-finding missions on human rights abuses.

Fox, who spent nearly 30 years helping the less fortunate in the Philippines, was detained and deported after Duterte labeled her an “undesirable alien.”

Now, Duterte’s daughter is asking for compassion from the same country her father once criticized. Sister Fox was among the 16 Filipino-Australians who signed the protest letter opposing Sara’s visit.

Filipinos in Australia Sara’s Specific Instructions to Supporters

At Sunday’s “Free Duterte Now” rally, Sara outlined what Filipinos in Australia could do:

• Draft position papers
• Coordinate with Australian media
• Raise awareness through social media

“Sit down, come together, write a position paper. Bring the issue to media and the global community,” she said. “That’s how we help foreign governments understand.”

Sara clarified that her visit wasn’t for government work.

“I’m not here for an interim release,” she told the crowd. “I’m here for the ICC case of former President Rodrigo Duterte.”

She added that her father had lost weight while in custody. Sara claimed that overseas Filipino workers held global economic power. She said a single day without Filipino labor would impact economies worldwide.

Filipinos in Australia / Sara’s Legal Stand

The vice president also defended her father using legal arguments, not just family ties.

“It’s not because he’s my father. I’m a lawyer, and I know what’s being done to him is wrong,” she said.

However, legal experts disagreed. Joel Butuyan, an ICC-accredited lawyer, said Duterte’s arrest in Manila and transfer to The Hague followed legal protocol. He cited a 2015 ICC case which confirmed that countries making arrests are not required to follow local procedures under certain circumstances.

Protesters Say: “Sara Not Welcome”

Meanwhile, members of Filipino Australians for Justice, Accountability, and Peace (FAJAP) held a protest at the Australian Parliament. They displayed banners saying: “Sara Not Welcome Here” and “Convict Sara Now!” NOWTREND

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