GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
ICC on Duterte's bid for interim release: PH should accept conditions
The International Criminal Court (ICC) said the Philippines has to accept technical measures and conditions for the judges to order the potential interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
ICC spokesperson Dr. Fadi El Abdallah told GMA Integrated News in an exclusive interview that Duterte’s bid for interim release needs to be discussed before the judges.
“As a matter of general principle, all these conditions and questions need to be discussed before the judges,” Abdallah said in a report of Mariz Umali on Unang Balita Wednesday.
“The technical measures and conditions have to be decided on a case-by-case basis by the judges and have to be accepted by a certain state for it to be ordered by the judges,” he added.
Abdallah said that in the past cases, interim release have been granted to the accused. However, the ICC noted that the grant for an interim release does not mean that the accused will be acquitted later on.
Duterte's legal team remains hopeful about his potential temporary release.
The lawyers of the drug war victims earlier said they will block Duterte's application for interim release.
“If there will be an application for interim release, the lawyers and victims are ready and able to give the views and concerns to actually tell the court to deny it,” Gilbert Andres, one of the victims’ lawyers, said.
Meanwhile, ICC assistant to counsel Atty. Kristina Conti said they will oppose the move as it will be “contrary to the victims’ interests as [Duterte] himself poses a threat.”
The ICC thanked the Philippines for enforcing the international accountability mechanism when the Court issued a warrant of arrest against Duterte.
Philippine authorities on March 11 assisted the Interpol in serving a warrant of arrest from the ICC against Duterte for crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war.
After his arrest, Duterte was brought to the Hague in the Netherlands.
Duterte on March 13 (Philippine time) entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison where he is set to be held while awaiting trial.
The next hearing on the confirmation of the charges has been set for September 23, 2025.
Tune in to GMA Integrated News’ 24 Oras for more details of the exclusive interview.
—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News
