ICC Prosecution Argues Duterte Should Stay Locked Up — He Called His Arrest a 'Kidnapping' and Won't Even Watch Proceedings From Prison

The ICC Prosecution and victims' counsel both urged the Pre-Trial Chamber to keep former President Rodrigo Duterte behind bars during the first annual review of his detention. Their argument was blunt: a man who calls his arrest a "kidnapping" and refuses to even watch his own hearings via livestream is not someone who will voluntarily return to court if released.

"He said he was forcibly pushed into a jet and renditioned to The Hague. He refers to his arrest as a kidnapping, none of which sounds as though those were the words of a person who would return voluntarily to the court," ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls told the chamber. He noted that Duterte had previously agreed to follow proceedings remotely but ultimately refused even that.

Victims' lawyer Joel Butuyan presented a striking fact: more than 160,000 of Duterte's supporters have called on the Philippine Supreme Court to issue a writ of habeas corpus for his return. "This show of support proves the stark reality that if Mr. Duterte is released, there is a huge risk his supporters will find ways and means to facilitate his return to the Philippines," Butuyan warned.

Butuyan also flagged that Duterte's children have filed separate petitions before the SC arguing that the case seeking their father's release is not moot — further evidence, he said, that the family is actively working to bring him home. He noted victims have expressed concerns about renewed instability and intimidation in their communities during the confirmation of charges hearings.

In a notable turn, defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said the defense will not oppose Duterte's continued detention — not because they agree with it, but because an appeal on the original detention ruling is still pending before the Appeals Chamber. Para sa mga naghihintay ng release, hindi pa rin ito ang araw na iyon.

Source: GMA News