Australia has emerged as one of the countries being considered for the interim release of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, currently detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over alleged crimes against humanity tied to his controversial war on drugs.
In a Philstar.com report, Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that her father’s legal team is exploring the possibility of a third-party country—possibly Australia—accepting him on interim release. However, she clarified, “I am not here for the interim release, not for this visit.”
The Vice President’s visit coincided with a rally calling for her father’s freedom, sparking criticism from activists who accused her of using the overseas Filipino community to stir sympathy for the embattled former leader.
Duterte also revealed that she had informally reached out to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. “I did reach out to [Wong]. Unfortunately, she is unable to meet me on Monday,” she said, adding that there were no official engagements with Australian government officials during this trip. “I just want to say a ‘friendly hello.’ Nothing official.”
Lawyers representing the former president have asked the ICC to grant him interim release, asserting that an unnamed country is prepared to receive him. Meanwhile, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque—who himself faces human trafficking allegations—has reportedly held talks with Dutch lawyers and urged the Vice President to join via online consultation.
Duterte said she has refrained from discussing the legal proceedings with her father, claiming the ICC might be monitoring their conversations.
