Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to seek the interim release of former president Rodrigo Duterte from the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing the latter’s worsening health.
In his proposal, Cayetano called on the government to negotiate with the ICC to allow Duterte to be placed under house arrest at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, instead of being detained in ICC facilities while awaiting trial for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs.
“To grant this for the former president would be beneficial to his health, all while presenting no risk to the integrity of the ongoing trial,” the senator said in the resolution.
He emphasized that Duterte, now in advanced age and reportedly suffering from health issues aggravated by prolonged isolation, should be treated with compassion, especially given his previous role as the country’s chief executive.
Cayetano’s proposed arrangement includes options such as house arrest, modified house arrest, or any other appropriate setup that the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber may find acceptable. The setup would still comply with conditions like limited movement, no contact with witnesses or victims, and adherence to court summons.
“It is only right that our government acts as soon as possible before it’s too late, because as the saying goes: regret always comes in the end,” Cayetano warned.
Duterte is currently detained at The Hague following his arrest in connection with the ICC’s investigation into thousands of killings under his administration’s anti-drug campaign, known as Oplan Tokhang. Official government figures report at least 6,000 deaths, but human rights groups estimate the toll could be as high as 20,000.
