PH gov't wants fair trial for Duterte — Palace

The Philippine government wants to ensure that former President Rodrigo Duterte would have a fair trial in the International Criminal Court over crimes against humanity charges, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Friday.

''Base po sa RA 9851, bilang Pilipino, hindi lang dahil dating pangulo si dating Pangulong Duterte, kailanganin din po natin ang gobyerno na mai-sure po, masiguro natin na nagkakaroon po ng fair trial lalong-lalo na po Pilipino po ang dating Pangulong Duterte,'' Castro said at a press briefing.

(Based on RA 9851 ... as a Filipino, not only because he is a former president ... our government should ensure that a fair trial is given, especially because former President Duterte is a Filipino.)

Duterte is set to appear before judges for a hearing on Friday where he will be informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant.

He is accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his violent campaign against illegal drugs, with international and local rights groups saying that it killed tens of thousands of people.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan lauded Duterte's arrest as a key moment for victims and international justice as a whole.

Silvestre Bello, one of Duterte's lawyers, had said they will be pushing for his temporary release from the ICC prison, noting that there was no reason to detain the former president during his impending trial.

The ICC rules state that an accused individual may request for interim release depending on several conditions and considerations allowed by the court. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News