Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday called for vigilance against foreign interference and thanked supporters of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, as he celebrated his 81st birthday on Saturday, March 28.

The former president currently in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) facility in The Hague, Netherlands while awaiting trial over allegations linked to his controversial war on drugs during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president of the Philippines.

In a statement, the vice president thanked their family's supporters who organized activities to honor the former chief executive, praising their “unyielding love and loyalty.”

“To all the parallel support groups, volunteers, and the millions of Filipinos here and abroad who organized celebrations to honor him, maraming salamat sa inyong walang sawang pagmamahal at katapatan,” she said.

The vice president said the supporters' loyalty to her father is a "testament to a leadership that truly prioritized the safety and dignity of every Filipino family."

“But as we celebrate, we also stand firm. The defense of his rights is a defense of our national sovereignty,” she said.

The vice president warned against what she called the “weaponization of the law” and cautioned against alleged interference by foreign institutions, which she said could undermine the authority of local courts. Her remarks referenced concerns surrounding the arrest of the former president last year.

The young Duterte also said the country’s justice system should “remain independent,” and “serve only the mandate of the Filipino people and never the interests of foreign powers.”

“To the Filipino people, thank you for being our strength. Through the storms and challenges, your resilience remains our inspiration,” Duterte said.

She also called on citizens to continue upholding the country’s dignity and to remain united in their love for the nation.