The Hague, Netherlands – In a significant development, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber has granted former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to defer a ruling on his petition for interim release. The decision, reached by majority vote, allows the Chamber to postpone its ruling either until further action is taken by Duterte’s defense team or at the Chamber’s discretion.
Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera dissented from the majority decision, highlighting a division within the chamber over how to proceed with the former leader’s legal requests.
Duterte is currently facing charges of crimes against humanity about the deadly war on drugs waged during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. The ICC has alleged that thousands of extrajudicial killings occurred under Duterte’s leadership, many of them carried out by law enforcement and vigilante groups targeting suspected drug offenders.
Legal experts say the Chamber’s decision to delay the interim release ruling does not indicate a judgment on the merits of the case, but rather shows the complexity of the legal proceedings and the need for further clarification or action from the defense.
The ICC investigation has been met with strong opposition from Duterte and his allies, who have repeatedly denied the Court’s jurisdiction over the Philippines following its withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. However, the Court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.
The latest move by the ICC reflects the evolving nature of the proceedings and could significantly impact Duterte’s legal strategy moving forward. Human rights advocates are closely watching the case, as it could set a precedent for holding national leaders accountable for large-scale human rights violations.