By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(March 21, 2025) – A lawyer on Friday expressed doubt that former president Rodrigo Duterte could return to the Philippines amid his case in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Atty. Joel Butuyan, who’s accredited with the ICC, reiterated the seriousness of the accusation of crimes against humanity against Duterte over his bloody war on drugs.
“It’s either madi-dismiss ‘yung kaso at bibigyan siya ng interim release na papupuntahin siya dito (sa Pilipinas), which I think is very, very slim,” said Butuyan.
The ICC set Duterte’s confirmation of charges on September 23. It will determine if his case will proceed to a trial.
During the six-month interval, the ICC already stated that Duterte can request an interim release or temporary liberty as part of his rights under the international tribunal.
Butuyan furthered that Duterte’s arrest was legal, refuting the claims of the former president’s camp and his supporters.
“Sabi nga doon sa desisyon ng ICC, ‘yung specific procedure sa Article 59 (ng Rome Statute) na kailangan idaan sa competent judicial authority, hindi bound ang Pilipinas na i-follow ‘yun as long as ang substance ng Article 59, which is una, make sure na ‘yung taong arrested ay ‘yun ‘yung nakalagay sa warrant of arrest,” said Butuyan.
He stressed that the said provision is only applicable to a member of the ICC, adding that Duterte’s rights were upheld during his arrest on March 11.
“Binasahan siya ng Miranda Rights, hindi naman siya sinaktan, meron siyang abogado. Lahat ng substance ng Bill of Rights natin nasunod naman. Walang reklamo doon,” added Butuyan.
In 2018, Duterte ordered the country’s withdrawal from the ICC after it opened a preliminary examination into his deadly war on drugs. It took effect in 2019.
Duterte’s legal counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, is expected to challenge the validity of the former president’s arrest.
(With reports from Maricel Halili, News5)
(PM)
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