Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for an interim release would clash with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) initial findings, the ICC's Assistant to Counsel, Atty. Kristina Conti said.
Conti stated during a forum at San Juan City on Friday, June 27, that the permanent international court would not grant Duterte’s request because it would contradict the ICC’s initial findings.
She explained that the reason why an arrest warrant was issued against the former president in the first place was because the international court saw the possibility of his fleeing or interfering with the process.
Moreover, the arrest warrant was not just an invitation, but is related to Duterte’s trial for crimes against humanity, in connection with the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the war on drugs during his presidency and term as mayor of Davao City.
“Nung March, nag issue siya ng warrant of arrest upon finding that this person might probably flee and not participate in the proceedings. Kaya’t ganon ka aga, may ganon ng finding. Kaya itong iterim release, bagamat matter of right, ay babangga na siya doon sa initial findings ng ICC,” Conti said.
RH Edniel Parrosa reported that Duterte has permission to 200 minutes of calls per month, including access to the intranet, library, and gym, at his facility in the Hague, the Netherlands.
Earlier this month, Duterte’s lawyer asked the ICC to grant the former an interim release. According to the document signed by the former leader’s defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, an undisclosed country has agreed to take in Duterte.
The document argued that Duterte does not pose a risk of flight, nor is his arrest “necessary to ensure the integrity of the investigations.” It also indicated that the undisclosed country has affirmed its willingness to cooperate with the court.
Opposing the request, the Office of the Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV)—a coalition of families whose loved ones were victims of the killings during the Duterte regime—said that Duterte must remain at the facility in the Hague to ensure that he would face trial.
“Para sa mga biktima, maraming basehan para hindi paboran ng Pre-Trial Chamber I ang Request ni Duterte na pansamantalang makalaya at tumira sa isang di-pinangalangang bansa batay sa humanitarian grounds,” the OPCV wrote.
