After the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber unanimously rejected former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bid for an interim release, the latter’s family said that it accepts the decision “with peaceful hearts.”

Minutes after the ruling was announced on Friday evening, the Duterte family released a joint statement on social media.

“The family accepts the ICC Appeals Chamber’s decision with peaceful hearts. We will continue to work with the defense team on the case and will keep supporting Former President Rodrigo Duterte with our daily conversations,” the statement read.

“We thank everyone who prayed with us today,” it added.

The ICC Appeals Chamber upheld the ruling, presided over by Judge Luz Del Carmen Ibañez Carranza.

Although the former leader was not present during the proceedings, his legal counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman came in his stead.