URGENT UPDATE: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte could be released from custody at the International Criminal Court (ICC) as early as Friday, October 20, 2023. Appeals judges are set to rule on a request from Duterte’s legal team to lift his detention while ongoing proceedings on charges of crimes against humanity continue.
Duterte’s legal team is challenging a ruling from October that upheld his detention, claiming he is “infirm and debilitated.” They argue that it is “cruel” to keep the octogenarian in custody during trial preparations. If released, Duterte would not return to the Philippines but would be transferred to another member state’s custody until the case concludes.
The ICC has been investigating Duterte since February 2018, focusing on violence linked to his controversial “war on drugs.” Prosecutors allege Duterte authorized numerous killings during his presidency, with death toll estimates ranging from over 6,000 according to national police, to as high as 30,000 according to human rights organizations.
“Countries can’t abuse their right to withdraw from the Rome Statute by shielding persons from justice,” judges stated in their October ruling.
As the legal battle unfolds, the impact on victims’ families remains profound. Many hailed Duterte’s arrest in March, viewing it as a crucial step towards accountability. The court postponed a pretrial hearing in September to conduct a full medical assessment of Duterte, citing concerns over his declining cognitive health.
Next steps are critical: if the judges decide to release Duterte, it could alter the dynamics of the ongoing proceedings and potentially influence witness testimonies. The global community is watching closely as the ICC navigates complex legal waters, particularly given Duterte’s controversial decision to withdraw the Philippines from the court in March 2019.
Stay tuned for immediate updates as this situation develops. The ruling from the appeals judges is anticipated to send shockwaves throughout the international community, particularly among human rights advocates.