Reelectionist Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte is set to travel to The Hague, Netherlands, to oversee his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained on charges of alleged crimes against humanity. Pulong announced his travel plans during the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod’s campaign sortie at Royal Valley Gym in Barangay Talomo Proper, Davao City. He stated he would relieve his father’s domestic partner, Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, who is currently in The Hague with their daughter Kitty. Paolo’s mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, is also there. Vice President Sara Duterte, who followed their father after his arrest, recently returned from The Hague. Paolo said he could not continue campaigning in Davao and did not disclose his travel date. The House of Representatives granted him clearance for a “personal trip” to The Netherlands, Hong Kong, and 15 other countries from March 20 to May 10. Paolo and his brother, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, accused their family’s political enemies of facilitating their father’s arrest and surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Paolo’s appearance at the HTL campaign sortie was his first since the campaign period began on March 28. He missed HTL’s celebration of his father’s 80th birthday and the launch of the “Green Rise Action” campaign, which seeks to pressure the national government and ICC to release Duterte. Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11 upon his return from Hong Kong and flown to The Hague to face ICC charges related to his “war on drugs.” The ICC has scheduled his Confirmation of Charges hearing for September 23, 2025.
