DAVAO CITY – Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte criticized the proceedings of the International Criminal Court against his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying Western countries are using the tribunal as a political tool against developing nations.

Speaking to supporters outside the court’s detention facility in The Hague, Netherlands, the former Chief Executive’s youngest son questioned the legitimacy of the case and the motives behind the international tribunal’s actions.

“Everything there is nonsense. The ICC is just a political tool of the West used to target developing countries that oppose them, so that they can control them. There’s really nothing to it. They are just making it up as they go,” Mayor Duterte said in Cebuano.

He rejected accusations against former President Duterte and claimed his case is politically motivated. He said that foreign powers, particularly the United States, have long interfered in Philippine affairs.

ICC has been conducting proceedings over alleged crimes against humanity connected to the anti-drug campaign carried out during the administration of former President Duterte from 2016 to 2022.

The campaign aimed to curb the proliferation of narcotics and criminality across the Philippines. However, it drew international criticism over thousands of reported deaths during police operations and alleged vigilante killings linked to the crackdown.

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 during Duterte’s presidency. The ICC maintained that they retain jurisdiction over alleged offenses committed while the country was a member of the treaty.

Supporters of the former Chief Executive have held demonstrations in the Netherlands and the Philippines and said that the country’s judicial system should address any allegations.