Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte Now Detained at ICC Detention Facility in Scheveningen
RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE – The former President of the Philippines is set to appear before the initial trial of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today, March 14.
The arrest and transfer of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was welcomed by the ICC. It was the same entity that issued a warrant of arrest against the former Philippine President over his administration’s war on drugs.
Duterte just came from a flight from Hong Kong when the authorities of the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested him at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). On the same day of his arrest, the former Philippine President was flown from the Philippines en route to the Netherlands.
Duterte had a lay over in Dubai before proceeding for a flight to The Hague. Currently, he is detained at the International Criminal Court detention center in Scheveningen. According to the ICC, he will have to undergo a pre-trial.
Based on a report on GMA News, the pre-trial of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte before the ICC is set today, March 14. The initial appearance is scheduled at 2:00 p.m. local time or 9:00 p.m. Manila time before the Pre-Trial Chamber 1.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte has flown to The Hague to visit former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The former Philippine President has requested the Pre-Trial Chamber to allow former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea and the Office of the Public Counsel for Defense to assist him during the pre-trial.
Based on the report, the pre-trial of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte before the ICC will be led by presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera. They are the three (3) female judges who issued an arrest warrant against the former Chief Executive of the Philippines.
Reportedly, all pre-trial appearances before Chamber are public as per the regulations set by the ICC to ensure fair proceedings. Philippines’ business tycoon Manny Villar is one of those who believe that Duterte “deserves a fair trial”.
At the pre-trial which is one of the two proceedings prior to any actual trial, Duterte is set to be informed of the accusations against him, his rights, as well as the date for a hearing to confirm or decline. The accused can request for an interim release pending the trial but the decision lies upon the Pre-Trial Chamber. An interim does not mean full liberty and is subject to several conditions.