Drug war victims oppose Rodrigo Duterte’s plea for interim release

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is seen on a screen in the courtroom of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, on March 14, 2025. — Photo by Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines — Victims of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs are opposing his appeal for interim release to an undisclosed territory, fearing that such freedom could put their lives in danger.

In a filing dated June 25, Paolina Massidda — principal counsel of the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) — submitted that the defense’s request should be rejected and that Duterte remain in detention with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

READ: Prosecutors oppose Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for interim release

OPCV argued that the gravity of the charges, as well as the fact that Duterte already has access to a great part of the evidence in the record of the case and to the prosecution witnesses’ identities, make his continued detention necessary and justified to ensure his presence at trial.

Apart from this, OPCV said victims of Duterte’s drug war are equally concerned by the fact that the former president has the means to “evade justice.”

“Victims also oppose the request on the basis that their security and well-being will be in danger in the event that Duterte is released. In this regard, victims have expressed their strong concerns about the possibility that the suspect enjoys interim release, even with conditions, fearing reprisals,” said OPCV.

OPCV said Duterte’s release will pose a direct and significant danger to the victims who have demonstrated courage in applying to participate in the present proceedings in order to contribute to the search for the truth, despite risks of being threatened or otherwise stigmatized.

It added that Duterte’s release would be hard for victims to fathom, considering that they already have expressed the view that he should remain in detention at the Court pending the pre-trial proceedings.

“For the victims, this is the only way of ensuring that he will face trial. Indeed, victims are extremely concerned with the prospect that Duterte could be released, particularly because there is a real risk that they face threats from the suspect and his supporters,” said OPCV.

READ: Rodrigo Duterte appeals for an interim release from ICC detention

With these reasons, the principal counsel requested that the ICC’s Pre Trial Chamber I reject Duterte’s appeal for an interim release to an undisclosed territory.

The ICC currently has custody of Duterte after he was arrested and sent to The Hague for crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration’s bloody war against drugs.

The anti-drug campaign dubbed as Oplan Tokhang left at least 6,000 people dead but human rights groups have reported at least 20,000 killed. /das