BREAKING: A critical decision regarding former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to unfold today at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. Appeals judges will rule on Duterte’s request for release from custody while ongoing proceedings against him for crimes against humanity continue.
Today’s ruling comes after Duterte’s legal team challenged an October 2023 decision that kept him detained. Judges previously determined that Duterte, now in his eighties, might refuse to return for trial and could potentially intimidate witnesses if released.
Prosecutors allege Duterte was responsible for numerous killings during his controversial war on drugs, with estimates of the death toll ranging from over 6,000 according to national police to as high as 30,000 claimed by human rights organizations. Allegations state he directed and authorized violent actions including murder against alleged drug offenders.
“It is cruel to keep him in custody during the trial,” said Duterte’s lawyers, highlighting his “infirm and debilitated” state.
In September, the ICC postponed a pretrial hearing for a full medical evaluation of Duterte, citing concerns over his declining cognitive abilities, which they assert hinder his capacity to assist in his defense.
If released, Duterte would not return to the Philippines. Instead, he would be transferred to another member state’s custody while legal proceedings are ongoing. This development raises significant concerns regarding accountability and justice for the victims of his administration’s violent policies.
In a significant move, the ICC had opened a preliminary investigation into the violence during Duterte’s presidency in February 2018. However, the former president announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in March 2019, a decision many human rights advocates condemned as an attempt to evade justice.
Judges have emphasized that countries cannot “abuse” their right to withdraw from the Rome Statute to shield individuals from justice regarding crimes under investigation. This ruling is pivotal as it reaffirms the ICC’s jurisdiction over cases that began while Duterte was still in power.
As the world watches, the implications of today’s ruling are immense. It could set a precedent for how international law addresses human rights abuses and offers a glimpse into the ongoing struggle for accountability in the Philippines.
Stay tuned for real-time updates as the court delivers its ruling, which could reshape the landscape of justice for those affected by Duterte’s administration.
