By Gabriel Kim Leal
(April 7, 2025) – Families of the victims of the brutal war on drugs are prepared to oppose any request for interim release that the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte might file before the International Criminal Court (ICC), a lawyer said on Monday.
Atty. Gilbert Andres, who represents the kin of the victims and is accredited by the ICC, said they still consider Duterte “influential” despite his detention in The Hague, Netherlands following his arrest on charges of crimes against humanity.
“Sa tingin po ng hanay nila, merong risk sa kanilang security, pati sa victims and witnesses (ng drug war). Kaya nakahanda kaming magbigay ng views and concerns sakaling mag-file ng application for interim release ang defense (team),” said Andres on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas.
Duterte’s lead counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, earlier said they are preparing to seek an interim release. He noted that the ICC will consider three factors: Risk of flight, risk of interfering with witnesses or evidence, and risk of committing further crimes.
Kaufman, however, maintained that “none of those factors exist in the present situation.”
Duterte’s daughter, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio, also confirmed that they are exploring the possibility of his father’s interim release.
Andres, meanwhile, maintained that the participation of the families of the victims in the proceedings will depend on the confirmation of charges by the ICC on September 23, which will determine if Duterte’s case will proceed to trial.
“Ibang usapin ang magiging witnesses sa confirmation of charges. Hindi ibig sabihin na kapag na-approve ‘yung application for participation ay automatic witness na. In fact, konti lang talaga ang nagiging witness,” said Andres, who’s also the executive director of non-profit organization CenterLaw Philippines.
He also refuted the claim of Sen. Bong Go that Duterte is already “frail” so he should not be tried in a foreign court.
“Napatunayan na doon sa medical report na mentally fit si Mr. Duterte to stand trial. Lahat ng medical facility ay talagang (pinapagamit) sa any detainee na nasa ICC custody,” said Andres.
(PM)
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