ICC Stands Firm as Duterte’s Bid for Release Is Rejected
So, what’s happening right now with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has become a major global headline, and the International Criminal Court’s latest decision is a big part of that story. The ICC Appeals Chamber has officially rejected Duterte’s request for provisional release, keeping him in detention in The Hague while proceedings on crimes against humanity continue.
The appeals judges reviewed the arguments laid out by Duterte’s legal team, and all three grounds for release were dismissed. According to the panel, there remains a clear risk that Duterte could flee or even interfere with the trial process if allowed out. They emphasised that, as a former president and now the newly elected mayor of Davao City, he still holds enough political influence to possibly sway witnesses or obstruct justice. The Appeals Chamber president, Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, delivered the ruling and confirmed that the original decision would stand.
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Human rights groups in the Philippines immediately welcomed the decision. The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, which represents families of those killed during Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, said the ruling helps victims and witnesses feel safe enough to come forward. They stressed that keeping Duterte detained ensures he cannot intimidate anyone or tamper with evidence. For them, this moment is seen as essential for accountability.
On the other hand, Duterte’s family responded by saying they accept the decision “with peaceful hearts.” Vice President Sara Duterte, his daughter, released a statement saying the family will continue supporting him and working with his defense team. Interestingly, even though his lawyers argue that Duterte is in poor health and mentally deteriorating, relatives who visited him claim he is doing “well” and remains engaged during conversations.
The court’s decision also touches on a broader concern: judges believe Duterte might refuse to return for trial if released. Prosecutors accuse him of authorising violent acts that led to thousands of deaths during his anti-drug campaign — a crackdown that ran from his days as Davao City mayor all the way to his presidency from 2016 to 2022. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, from 6,000 according to police records to as many as 30,000 according to human rights organisations.
Another key point is Duterte’s 2018 decision to withdraw the Philippines from the ICC, which many activists say was a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability. But the judges have made it clear that withdrawing cannot be used as an escape from justice, especially for alleged crimes already under investigation.
With the ruling now confirmed, Duterte remains in detention — a situation that has already lasted more than eight months. His lawyers plan to renew their request for release after an upcoming medical examination, but for now, the ICC’s position is firm: the risks are too high, and the case must move forward without disruption.
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