Paolo Duterte says CIA helped orchestrate his father’s alleged kidnapping following ICC decision

Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte has launched a scathing attack against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and foreign intelligence agencies, accusing the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of being involved in what he called the “kidnapping” of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The congressman denounced the ICC’s decision to detain his father as a “gross and disgraceful miscarriage of justice,” calling it a form of political persecution rather than a legitimate legal process.

In a strongly worded statement, Duterte described the ruling as “political theater,” claiming that his 80-year-old father, who is no longer in power, has long been the subject of targeted attacks since stepping down from office. He insisted that the former president is not a flight risk, emphasizing his deep ties to the Philippines and his desire to remain in the country for as long as possible.

“To all kidnappers of my father, I will make sure that you will pay for this crime,” the congressman said. He further alleged that the CIA “connived” in the act, warning that the incident will not silence the former president.

Paolo Duterte vowed to appeal the decision, asserting that his family would “fight this by the book.” He added that the ordeal may only strengthen the public’s sympathy toward the former leader, saying, “You might have just helped in making him a martyr.”

The Duterte family’s camp has yet to release further legal details on the planned appeal, while international observers await the Philippine government’s official response to the congressman’s explosive allegations.