ICC Lawyer Speaks on Possibility of Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s Interim Release amid Calls To Return Home
RODRIGO DUTERTE’S INTERIM RELEASE – International Criminal Court-accredited lawyer Joel Butuyan spoke on the possible effect of the behavior of some supporters of the former President against the judges of the ICC.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is now detained at the ICC detention facility in the Hague, Netherlands. He is faced with accusations over the war on drugs of his administration that is linked to several deaths.
Duterte was arrested last Monday upon his arrival from Hong Kong. The Philippine National Police (PNP) acted on the arrest of the former President. According to Malacañang, it is due to the government’s commitment with the Interpol.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos who was criticized following the arrest of Duterte stressed that the government moved not because it was the ICC that released a warrant of arrest. Marcos also expressed that the arrest of Duterte went through a legal process.
Malacañang defended Marcos saying that the President did not betray anyone and the government only moved as per its commitment with the Interpol. Countless Duterte supporters rallied on the streets calling for the return of the former President.
However, there are situations and behavior of the Duterte supporters that may affect the decisions of the ICC judges according to ICC-accredited lawyer Joel Butuyan. Based on a report on PhilStar, following the initial trial of Duterte, the social media accounts of Romanian ICC Judge Iulia Motoc was flooded by the supporters of the former Philippine President.
Furthermore, some Duterte supporters allegedly spammed the LinkedIn account of the ICC judge. Based on the report, ICC Assistant Counsel Kristina Conti said that such actions may lower the chances for the grant of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s interim release.
“…Hindi payagan ang interim release ni Rodrigo Duterte dahil banta sya at ang mga supporter nya sa kaligtasan ng mga biktima at abogado na tumitindig laban sa kanya,” Conti wrote on X.
Lawyer Joel Butuyan share the same stand with the ICC Assistant Counsel. According to him, the behavior of some Duterte supporters will send a message to the ICC that the Duterte camp is powerful.
“It’s going to affect the judges, especially on the issue of interim release. Because makikita ng mga judges na sobrang powerful talaga yung forces ng Duterte camp,” Butuyan said.
The next part of the pre-trial of former Pres. Duterte is scheduled in September. Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque is set to join the legal team of Duterte.