SC refuses request for immediate TRO vs gov’t cooperation with ICC

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has denied the request for the immediate issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) to block the government from further cooperating with the ICC, which ordered the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s war on drugs.

According to SC spokesperson Camille Ting, the High Court decided upon deliberating the 94-page petition filed by the former president and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

“After a virtual deliberation on the 94-page petition, the SC found that the petitioners failed to establish a clear and unmistakable right for the immediate issuance of a TRO,” Ting said in a statement.

Ting said the SC then directed the respondents to comment on the petition within 10 days from notice.

However, the SC clarified that it only denied the “immediate” release of the TRO, stating that the overall request for a TRO was “still a possibility.”

It was on Tuesday, the same day Duterte was arrested by the ICC, when he and Dela Rosa filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition and asked the Supreme Court to prevent the government from assisting the ICC in any way.

This included enforcing ICC arrest warrants and summons, as well as cooperation with any other individuals or foreign law enforcement coordinating or providing assistance to the Interpol or any foreign law enforcement agency assisting in the execution of ICC-issued warrants, red notices, or other legal actions pertaining to the Philippines.

The petition also seeks to have the SC order the immediate release of any individuals arrested amid the ICC investigation.

As of posting time, Duterte is en route to The Hague, to face the ICC on the crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration’s bloody war against illegal drugs.