Groups to make formal request to ICC for Duterte repatriation
MANILA, Philippines — A coalition of organizations will formally submit to a request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the repatriation of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
This was announced in a press conference by senatorial candidates Gringo Honasan and Rodante Marcoleta at the University Hotel at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in Quezon City on Wednesday.
An initial list of organizations shared to the media showed the coalition composed of the Reform PH Party, the Democratic Party of the Philippines (DPP) and the Malayang Quezon City Party.
The request will ask the ICC to address two issues: the validity of Duterte’s arrest and the “urgent need” to release him from custody “to prevent further violation of his basic human right to due process and against the arbitrary deprivation of his liberty.”
Further, the request will argue that Duterte’s arrest violated Articles 59(2) and 89(1) of the Rome Statute, which pertain to arrest proceedings in the custodial state and the surrender of persons to the court, respectively.
The Rome Statute is the international treaty establishing the ICC.
Basis for a submission
When asked about the basis for organizations’ submissions, DPP President Ret. Police Brig. Gen. Diosdado Valeroso cited Rule 103 of the ICC Rules of Procedure and Evidence, which pertains to amicus curiae and other submission forms.
Rule 103 states: “At any stage of the proceedings, a Chamber may, if it considers it desirable for the proper determination of the case, invite or grant leave to a State, organization or person to submit, in writing or orally, any observation on any issue that the Chamber deems appropriate.”
“Yun ang pakay namin ngayong hapon sa paghahain ng petisyon, signature campaign from NGOs (non-government organizations) dahil wala kaming personalidad para ihain ito on an individual basis,” Honasan said.
(Our goal this afternoon in forwarding this petition is a signature campaign from NGOs because we do not have the personality to submit this individually.)
“So, binubuo namin ang isang malawak at malapad na coalition (So, we’re forming a broad and wide coalition,)” the former senator added.
He said the petition will be open for more signatories for an indefinite period of time, through a website and physical booths that the initial signatory groups will set up.
‘Pro-Filipino’
Honasan maintained that the initiative was not for or against Duterte.
“Hindi ito anti-PBBM (President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) initiative. Hindi rin ito pro-FPRRD (former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) initiative. This is a pro-Filipino initiative,” Honasan said.
(This is not an anti-PBBM initiative. Nor is it a pro-FPRRD initiative. This is a pro-Filipino initiative.)
“Hindi natin sinasabing guilty siya or not guilty… Kung hindi natin kayang magbigay ng hustisya sa isang dating pangulo, umaasa ba tayo na kaya nating magbigay ng hustisya sa pangkaraniwang Pilipino? Yun lang ang aming hinihingi: due process,” he added.
(We are not saying he’s guilty or not guilty… If we cannot give justice to a former president, can we hope to give justice to ordinary Filipinos? That’s all we’re asking for: due process.)
READ: Duterte ICC case progresses: First set of evidence submitted
Duterte was arrested on March 11 through an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his anti-narcotics campaign.
At least 6,000 people were killed during the drug war, according to government data.
However, human rights watchdogs estimate that the death toll was between 12,000 and 30,000.
Duterte made his first appearance before the international tribunal last March 14.
His confirmation of charges hearing was set for September 23, 2025.
