Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte alleged on Friday that search warrants had been issued for the residence of former President Rodrigo Duterte and their family homes. However, Police Regional Office-11 (PRO-11) spokesperson Police Major Catherine Del Rey denied the claim, saying it was not true.
In a Facebook post, the mayor stated that his family had received “verified information” about the supposed search warrants, calling it a direct intrusion into their privacy and questioning the motives behind it. Despite PRO-11’s denial, he remained skeptical and accused authorities of inconsistent statements.
“This raises serious concerns about harassment and intimidation,” he said, comparing the current political climate to Martial Law. He also warned that if such actions could be taken against a former president, ordinary citizens had even less protection.
His statements come amid the arrest of former President Duterte, who was taken into custody at Ninoy Aquino International Airport earlier this week and later transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center in the Netherlands. The former leader faces charges of crimes against humanity related to the controversial war on drugs.
Vice President Sara Duterte has traveled to the Netherlands to meet with legal representatives and push for access to her father. Meanwhile, Mayor Sebastian Duterte vowed to do everything possible to bring him back to the Philippines.
