Vice President Sara Duterte, February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA (UPDATED) — Vice President Sara Duterte headed to the Netherlands on Wednesday to meet with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team and discuss his crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court (ICC), her office said on Wednesday.

The younger Duterte left Manila at 7:40 a.m. aboard an Emirates flight to Amsterdam, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said.

“Further details regarding the Vice President's trip will be provided as necessary,” the OVP said.

What awaits Duterte: ICC detention center in The Hague

The Vice President had said that arrangements were made for her trip to The Hague to check on her father and tackle their legal options with his lawyers there.

She was issued a travel authority by the Office of the President on Tuesday night, Malacanang later said.

"The Office of the President issued travel authority to VP Sara as of last night, 8:00 p.m.," Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said. "PCO was not informed about this because of her right to privacy and it may be too confidential on her part."

In a statement on Wednesday night, Duterte expressed her gratitude to the Filipinos working at the Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport for their help.

"Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho sa Dubai International Airport at sa Al Maktoum International Airport na tumulong sa akin at kay PRRD," she said.

"Maraming salamat din sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong nagpaabot ng mga mensahe, suporta, at panalangin para kay PRRD, sa akin, at sa aming buong pamilya na ngayon ay nahaharap sa matinding pagsubok sa pulitika."

'Blatant affront to our sovereignty': Sara Duterte decries father's arrest

Ex-President Duterte was arrested after landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Hong Kong on Tuesday. He was whisked off on a chartered flight after over 12 hours of detention in the Villamor Air Base.

He was allowed to bring 3 companions with him aboard the flight. Among them was former Executive Secretary and lawyer Salvador Medialdea.

Plane carrying ex-president Rodrigo Duterte arrives in Dubai

The former President is facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s crackdown on illegal drugs that left thousands dead, including some bystanders and minors.

War on drugs: The unheard voices

The Vice President earlier alleged that her father’s arrest was part of politicking ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. refuted the claim, noting that the case started in 2017, long before he succeeded the elder Duterte as Philippine president.

Marcos says Duterte arrest part of PH’s obligation to Interpol