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GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Duterte camp asks ICC for 'urgent' status conference citing 'delays'
According to a redacted public copy of the defense's request before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, signed by Duterte's counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, on July 15, the defense said the conference would help determine whether the current timeline for the confirmation of charges hearing remains feasible. The defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte has requested that the International Criminal Court hold an 'urgent status conference' before its summer recess begins on July 25. According to a redacted public copy of the defense's request before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, signed by Duterte's counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, on July 15, the defense said the conference would help determine whether the current timeline for the confirmation of charges hearing remains feasible. The confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled to begin on September 23. The judges will then have up to 60 days before announcing their decision on whether Duterte's case will proceed to trial. The request cited delays that cannot be attributed to the defense. "The aforementioned delays are evidenced by the following facts, as admitted, more or less, by [REDACTED]: a month passed from the moment that the Defence requested [REDACTED] on 15 April 2025, until they were received on 16 May 2025; the [REDACTED] underlying [REDACTED] on 16 May 2025 was only supplied to the Defence on 7 July 2025; an [REDACTED] requested more than a month ago [REDACTED] is yet to be [REDACTED]; and the [REDACTED] more than a month ago are yet to be received." Status conferences Based on the ICC Chambers Practice Manual, status conferences are procedural meetings in which 'oral orders and clarifications in relation to the conduct of the proceedings can be provided to the parties.' Such conferences increase efficiency and eliminate "the need for cumbersome written decisions." The parties' procedural requests can also be received, debated, and decided at these meetings. The Duterte defense's latest filing said that under Rule 121(2)(b) of the ICC's Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the Pre-Trial Chamber had the authority to "hold status conferences on matters affecting the timely and efficient conduct of the confirmation proceedings, frequently before a Single Judge appointed for such 'housekeeping' matters." The defense urged the Pre-Trial Chamber I to convene the conference 'as soon as practicable,' suggesting it be held before 5:30 p.m. on July 25 (or 11:30 p.m. Manila time). It stated that the conference would enable the chamber to determine whether it is still reasonable to proceed with the confirmation hearing under the current schedule. The defense added that such conferences have been used in previous cases to resolve procedural concerns without the need for lengthy written decisions. Duterte's defense said it had already informed the chamber of these concerns through email and other filings. They noted that the delay in receiving essential documents had directly impacted their ability to prepare their arguments before the July 24 deadline. 'The Defence respectfully requests that the Chamber adjudicate on this submission as a matter of urgency, given the importance of the issues raised,' the filing read. The request was filed before Pre-Trial Chamber I, composed of Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera. The chamber is handling the confirmation phase of the case against Duterte over alleged crimes committed during his administration's anti-drug campaign. –NB, GMA Integrated News
Irish Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Rodrigo Duterte: Hague court is asked to refuse request for interim release of former president of the Philippines
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been asked to dismiss an application for the interim release of former president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte. The plea has come from families of victims of Mr Duterte's 'war on drugs' as well as ecumenical groups and human rights lawyers. Duterte (79) was detained in March as he stepped off a flight in Manila. He was transferred to The Hague where he made a court appearance by video link from the UN detention unit at Scheveningen jail, two kilometres away, a few days later. During that hearing, Mr Duterte was read the charges against him, in which he is named as a 'direct co-perpetrator' of 19 murders carried out by the notorious Davao Death Squad during his time as mayor of that city. READ MORE He is also charged with 24 killings carried out by police or 'others not part of the police' during his time as president between 2016 and 2019, when up to 30,000 people are believed to have died, many in indiscriminate shootings. A confirmation-of-charges hearing has been set for September 23rd. If the case against Mr Duterte goes ahead at the ICC, he will become the first former Asian head of state to be tried there. Last month, the former president's lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, petitioned the ICC's pretrial chamber of judges for his interim release to an undisclosed third country – the name of which was redacted from public documents. He said Mr Duterte, known to suffer from chronic neuromuscular disorder and other illnesses, was 'not a flight risk'. 'He is no longer president of the Philippines and does not command the same influence or power he is said to have abused during the period of the alleged crimes.' In response, Paolina Massidda of the ICC's Office of Public Counsel for Victims argued that the gravity of the charges against Mr Duterte made his detention justified to ensure his presence at trial. In addition, she said Mr Duterte already had access to the bulk of the evidence against him, including the identities of prosecution witnesses. Philippine human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares, who has represented many of those killed, said: 'Given the long history of threats, harassment and even killings targeting witnesses and human rights lawyers, we assert that Duterte's release would escalate these attacks.' An ecumenical human rights group attached to the United Methodist Church agreed. 'Duterte must remain in detention because this ensures his trial will proceed,' said Deaconess Rubylin Litao. 'Anything less would dishonour the suffering of the thousands killed – and the grief of those left behind.'
Reuters
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Philippines' Duterte seeks interim release from ICC
MANILA, June 13 (Reuters) - Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has petitioned the International Criminal Court to allow his interim release to another country, his lawyer said in a filing, citing his advanced age and a vow not to flee or commit any further crimes. Duterte was arrested and taken to The Hague in March on murder charges linked to his "war on drugs", where thousands of alleged narcotics peddlers and users were killed. He has maintained his arrest was unlawful. Duterte's counsel Nicholas Kaufman told the ICC's pre-trial chamber that a third country had already expressed its "advance and principled agreement to receive Mr. Duterte onto its territory", according to the request released on Thursday. The name of the country was redacted in the text released to the public. Duterte is not a flight risk and will not commit further crimes if released, his counsel said. "Mr Duterte is no longer the President of the Philippines, and does not command the same influence or power he is said to have abused during the period of the alleged crimes," the request stated. Duterte cited "humanitarian reasons" in his request, saying that he is already 80 years old. The request also said the prosecution would not oppose Duterte's interim release as long as certain undisclosed terms are met. The office of the prosecutor did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside office hours. ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti, who represents drug war victims, told broadcaster DZMM that her clients have opposed Duterte's interim release from the start. Duterte was swept to power in 2016 on a signature campaign to eradicate drug use in the country. During his six years in office, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations, according to government data. Rights groups say the actual toll was far greater. Despite his detention, he overwhelmingly won as mayor in his home city of Davao during midterm elections.
Bloomberg
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Philippine Ex-Leader Duterte Seeks Release From ICC Detention
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has requested the International Criminal Court in The Hague for his interim release, three months after he was arrested for alleged crimes against humanity under his controversial war on drugs. Duterte, 80, is not a flight risk and a certain government has agreed to take him in during the interim release, according to a June 12 request made by his counsel Nicholas Kaufman. Portions of the document, including the name of the country that agreed to host Duterte, were redacted.
