Malacañang on Friday said it would abide by whatever ruling the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues on the request for interim release filed by the legal team of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“It is now in the hands of the ICC what their decision or resolution on that matter will be,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated during a briefing.
However, Castro did not hold back from questioning the defense’s wording in the June 12 motion, which argued that Duterte “does not pose an objective risk of flight, nor is his arrest necessary to ensure the integrity of the investigations or to preclude the continued commission of crimes.”
She pointed out that the statement might imply an admission of wrongdoing. “In one way or another, the counsel admitted that the former president committed such crimes?” Castro asked. She added with a hint of criticism, “If that’s their strategy, I hope they can convince the ICC judges and that they won’t later claim that their promises were just a joke—like what happened with the jet ski promise.”
Duterte is currently detained at the ICC facility in The Hague, Netherlands, following his arrest at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11. He was flown out the same day.
The former president faces charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the controversial anti-drug campaign during his administration. His pre-trial hearing took place on March 14, and the confirmation of charges is set for September 23.
