(April 28, 2025) – The lead counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte in his case in the the International Criminal Court (ICC) called on supporters to show respect for the tribunal’s judges and the judicial process.
A wave of negative comments, many of them from Duterte’s loyalists, have flooded the social media pages of the ICC and its judges.
“Respect the judicial process, respect the judges, respect former president Duterte’s right to a fair trial,” said Atty. Nicholas Kaufman in a report from Philstar.com. “He (Duterte) asks for calm and restraint.”
Duterte was arrested last month for alleged crimes against humanity related to his brutal war on drugs. Human rights groups estimated that it led to the deaths of 30,000 people.
Over the years, he repeatedly urged the ICC to capture him, even telling it to “hurry up.” In 2021, Duterte, known for his macho rhetoric and bold pronouncements, said he wanted to slap the ICC’s judges.
Kaufman, meanwhile, maintained that they will seek Duterte’s interim release “in due course.” His confirmation of charges is scheduled for September 23.
“I can’t understand why he is here. He’s a Filipino citizen. Why isn’t he in the Philippines? Why isn’t he being tried in the Philippines? Why is there not a Filipino judge who is trying him?” added Kaufman.
Duterte’s camp is expected to challenge the issues related to his arrest on March 11.
His camp has maintained that the ICC’s arrest was invalid since the Philippines is no longer a member of the tribunal after withdrawing from the Rome Statute in 2018 following Duterte’s order. It officially took effect in 2019.
The Rome Statute, however, clearly states that the ICC still has jurisdiction over cases that happened when a country was still a member of the tribunal.
(PM)
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