Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team has notified the International Criminal Court (ICC) that the Philippine government appears willing to allow his possible interim release while proceedings over the war on drugs continue.
In a recent filing, FPRRD’s lead counsel, lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, cited statements by Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro, who said the Marcos administration would respect and abide by the ICC’s decision on Duterte’s request for temporary liberty.
The submission comes after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber issued a ruling on the Prosecution’s second request in the case, details of which remain redacted.
The Chamber had initially assumed that a decision on the confirmation of charges would be delivered by the end of November 2025, but the hearing has since been postponed indefinitely.
Kaufman said given this development, he informed the Chamber that the defense has no objection to the possible arrangements for the former president’s interim release.
He added that this agreement was made with full understanding that it would apply to any conditions the ICC might impose, noting that the Philippine government has expressed no objection to such an outcome.
The 80-year-old former president remains in ICC custody as proceedings over crimes against humanity charges linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign move forward.
Vice President Sara Duterte recently disclosed that FPRRD’s legal team has secured a country willing to host him should the ICC grant his interim release.
Speaking during a visit to Japan, the vice president explained that the request for interim release was delayed because of challenges in finding a host nation.
She added that during her travels across Southeast Asia as vice president and former Education Secretary, she personally met with a representative of a prospective host country and appealed for their support on behalf of her family.
She emphasized that the former president’s request for interim release is solely for him to return to Davao City, stressing that he has no intention of fleeing or seeking refuge in places such as Africa, Antarctica, Alaska, or even Japan.
