The International Criminal Court (ICC) is standing firm against the request of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to be temporarily released from detention, warning that his release could jeopardize the integrity of ongoing proceedings.
In its June 23 response, the Office of the Prosecutor asserted that Duterte’s detention remains critical—not only to ensure he appears for trial but also to prevent him from potentially undermining the investigation or threatening witnesses. Prosecutors stressed that Duterte “does not accept the legitimacy of the legal proceedings,” and warned of his capacity to flee, citing his political clout, international ties, and ample resources.
The prosecution also highlighted Duterte’s longstanding influence in Philippine politics, noting that his children continue to hold elected positions. This, it said, raises red flags regarding his ability to sway or harm witnesses. Past incidents were referenced, including the public intimidation of former senator Leila de Lima and whistleblower Edgar Matobato, and Duterte’s own threats against critics during his presidency.
A particularly alarming statement cited by the prosecution was Duterte’s alleged vow to “double the killings the moment I return” if elected again as Davao City mayor. “The Defence, notably, does not dispute that Mr. Duterte made these comments,” the filing noted, responding to criticism that the remark had only surfaced through a news article.
The ICC prosecutors also dismissed humanitarian grounds raised by Duterte’s legal team, stating such claims alone are not sufficient justification for release. His interim release request was formally submitted on June 12.
This legal setback follows an earlier ruling on June 9 rejecting Duterte’s move to disqualify two ICC judges from hearing the jurisdictional challenges in his case.
Duterte was arrested on March 11 upon his return from Hong Kong under an ICC warrant linked to his controversial anti-drug campaign, which allegedly involved the orchestration of extrajudicial killings by state-backed death squads. He was transferred to The Hague the same day and made his initial court appearance on March 14 via video link. A key hearing to confirm the charges is set for September 23.
