The political party of former president Rodrigo Duterte has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to allow Duterte to return home while he faces trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs.
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) acting chair Alfonso Cusi emphasized that their call was not about politics but about compassion for a fellow Filipino. “This is not an issue of politics, but a matter of humanity. What is at stake is the life and dignity of a fellow Filipino,” Cusi said in a statement released Thursday. He also appealed to Filipinos to help persuade Marcos to approve Duterte’s return.
The plea followed a request from Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, who cited the 80-year-old’s deteriorating health. Kaufman said the former president, detained in The Hague since March, “remains in good spirits” but added that “his age and the conditions of detention have taken their toll on him.”
Kaufman asked the ICC to delay Duterte’s scheduled September 23 pretrial hearing, saying he was unfit to participate. Judges agreed to a limited postponement to determine whether Duterte could still face the proceedings.
Human rights group In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDefend) criticized the delay, accusing Duterte of resorting to a “sick man playbook” often used by politicians to evade accountability. “Justice delayed is justice denied. This indefinite postponement serves only the interest of the accused, not the victims,” the group said.
Duterte is the first Asian leader charged by the ICC. He stands accused of crimes against humanity over a drug war that left at least 6,000 dead according to police figures, though rights groups place the toll closer to 30,000. The cases were filed by families of victims who continue to demand justice.
Malacañang has not issued an official response, with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin declining to confirm whether a repatriation request was received.
