Duterte’s Former Adviser Salvador Panelo Joins ICC Legal Team of Ex-President
SALVADOR PANELO – The former presidential legal counsel expressed his claim that the Philippine government can allegedly take former President Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Prior to the confirmation of charges hearing of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte which started last February 23, six (6) Filipino lawyers were added to the ICC legal team of the former Chief Executive. Duterte refused to attend the hearing and it was approved by the foreign court.
Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and former chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo were among the six (6) Filipino lawyers that were added to Duterte’s ICC legal team. The other Pinoy lawyers that joined the Defense team were:
- Martin Delgra III
- Former Department of Employment and Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello III
- Alfredo Lim Jr.
- Caesar Dulay
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte was represented by his legal team led by British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman at the ICC confirmation of charges hearing. Both former E.S. Salvador Medialdea and former chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo expressed their confidence that what the prosecution team allegedly has are mere allegations.
At the confirmation of charges hearing, Kaufman stressed the alleged innocence of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. According to him, there was supposedly no direct order from the then-President for the killing of the drug suspects.
Recently, lawyer Salvador Panelo aired his belief that the Philippine government can allegedly take the custody of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte from the ICC if they want to. Based on a post on social media, during an interview in The Hague, Netherlands where the former President is currently detained, Panelo stressed that those who supposedly moved for the imprisonment of Duterte can allegedly take him back.
“Kahit ngayon pwede nating bawiin ayaw lang nila. Sila nagpakulong, pwedeng nilang ibalik,” Duterte’s former chief legal counsel said.
Based on the post, Atty. Salvador Panelo further cited the case of former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnie Teves. According to him, the Philippine government lost in the extradition case versus Teves but was still able to bring him back to the country.
“Ginawa nila kay Teves naibalik nila. Samantalang natalo tayo ‘dun. Ini-extradite natin si Teves, ‘di ba? Talo tayo eh. Nag-appeal tayo sa Supreme Court ng Timor Leste, talo na naman. Eh ba’t nakakulong ngayon sa Pilipinas? Ibig sabihin kayang-kaya bawiin kung gusto,” Panelo added.
Recently, the ICC released its decision upholding the detention of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. The foreign court dismissed all the arguments of the Defense team of the former Chief Executive.