Sebastian Duterte files petition to bring father back home

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte —File photo from Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on Wednesday sought to compel the government to bring his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, back to the country after his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The third of the Duterte children filed the petition before the Supreme Court on the sly at 9:16 a.m., even earlier than his youngest sibling, Veronica or “Kitty,” who filed hers at around 10:26 a.m.

READ: Kitty Duterte files SC plea to bring father back after ICC arrest

Much like his sister, Baste filed an urgent petition for habeas corpus, arguing that Duterte’s detention by Philippine authorities for transfer to the ICC violates Philippine sovereignty and international law.

“It is evident that the detention and attempted transfer of Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte constitute a grave violation of his fundamental rights under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the principles of due process, and the sovereign authority of the Philippine judicial system,” the petition read.

According to Duterte in his petition, the writ of habeas corpus stands as the “most immediate recourse to rectify his deprivation of liberty.”

READ: Rodrigo Duterte at The Hague 

The writ of habeas corpus is an order issued by a court directed to persons detaining an individual and commands them to produce the physical body of a person whose liberty is restrained and explain sufficient cause of detention.

“Accordingly, the Honorable Court is respectfully urged to issue the writ of habeas corpus, order the immediate release of Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and prevent any further unlawful attempts for his transfer to the ICC,” the petition read.

“This case is not merely about one man’s liberty — it is a defining moment for the supremacy of Philippine law, the protection of constitutional rights, and the unwavering defense of national sovereignty against foreign interference,” it added.

The petition was filed a day after the former president was sent to The Hague in the Netherlands — where the ICC is headquartered.

Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and sent to the ICC following an arrest warrant against him for the crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration’s bloody war against drugs.

READ: ICC cites reasonable grounds in issuing arrest order for Duterte

The infamous drug war left at least 6,000 people dead, with human rights groups reporting at least 20,000.