SC raffles petitions seeking Duterte’s immediate return from ICC

The Supreme Court (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday said it has already raffled the petitions seeking the immediate release and return of former President Rodrigo Duterte after being arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The two petitions for habeas corpus were filed separately by Duterte’s children, Veronica (Kitty)  and Incumbent Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

“Upon the order of the Chief Justice for a special raffle, both petitions have been raffled to a Member-in-Charge for appropriate action,” it said.

Both petitions were filed a day after the former president was sent to The Hague in Netherlands—where the ICC is headquartered.

It sought the SC to “issue the writ of habeas corpus, order the immediate release of Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, and prevent any further unlawful attempts for his transfer to the ICC.”

The fomer president was arrested and sent to the ICC following an arrest warrant against him for the crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration’s bloody war against drugs.

The writ of habeas corpus is an order issued by a court directed to persons detaining an individual and commands them to produce the physical body of a person whose liberty is restrained and explain sufficient cause of detention.