Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte declared he has nothing to apologize for as he remains detained in The Hague, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a video interview shared Tuesday on the Facebook page of his former spokesperson Harry Roque, Duterte’s youngest daughter, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, said her father was firm in his stance. “He says, no regrets and no apologies. He did what he could for this country,” she said.
Kitty, who recently visited her father in detention, shared that the former leader tried to lighten the mood despite the serious circumstances. She recalled how Duterte noticed her wearing the same duster she often wore when they would sleep beside each other at home. “I think it kind of gave him a glimpse of home,” she added, noting that the visit left her father comforted by the sense of family closeness.
Supporters of Duterte have also been gathering outside his detention cell in The Hague, a visible show of solidarity as the controversial figure awaits his next court appearance. Kitty said her father remains more concerned about his family than his own situation, even checking in on her health. “He said, as long as I’m doing OK, he’s fine,” she shared.
Duterte, who was transferred to ICC custody in March 2025, will return to court on September 23, 2025 for the confirmation-of-charges hearing. His case stems from allegations of widespread extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign and the so-called Davao Death Squad during his years as mayor.
