Public Statement
The Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) expresses its strong opposition and grave concern over any proposal or consideration for the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who remains under active investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity arising from the thousands of killings perpetrated during the so-called “war on drugs.”
Interim release under the Rome Statute is an exceptional measure, permitted only where specific, stringent legal conditions are fully satisfied. These include low risk of flight; no danger to victims, witnesses, or the integrity of proceedings; and the availability of a State willing and able to enforce strict conditions of release. In the case of Mr. Duterte, these conditions are categorically not met.
The gravity and scale of the alleged crimes, which include widespread, systematic extrajudicial killings, make continued detention the only justifiable course of action. Moreover, Mr. Duterte’s long-standing hostility toward the ICC, his repeated refusal to recognize its jurisdiction, and his ongoing political influence in the Philippines signal a clear and credible risk of flight and interference with justice.
The gravity and scale of the alleged crimes, which include widespread, systematic extrajudicial killings, make continued detention the only justifiable course of action. Moreover, Mr. Duterte’s long-standing hostility toward the ICC, his repeated refusal to recognize its jurisdiction, and his ongoing political influence in the Philippines signal a clear and credible risk of flight and interference with justice.
The PCICC issues a word of caution to any third State that may consider offering to host Mr. Duterte under conditions of interim release. Any such State must seriously weigh the legal, political, and moral burden of vouching for a former head of state suspected of grave international crimes. The Duterte political network remains highly influential in the Philippines, and any assurance of compliance would require exceptional enforcement capacity and unwavering political will. Should those assurances fail, the State may be complicit in enabling impunity and obstructing international justice.
We therefore urge the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC to uphold the principles of accountability and deterrence by denying any request for interim release. Justice must be done not only in the courtroom, but in the eyes of the thousands of families who lost loved ones to extrajudicial killings.
The PCICC stands firm in its call – No special treatment, no interim freedom for those accused of crimes against humanity.
Justice must not be deferred. Impunity must not be enabled.
Dr. Aurora Parong
Atty. Ray Paolo Santiago
Co-Chairpersons and Spokespersons
PCICC