Duterte Acknowledges ICC Restrictions on Return to Philippines
NAGOYA, JAPAN - Former President Rodrigo Duterte desires to return to teh Philippines but recognizes his potential interim release from the International Criminal Court (ICC) will likely require him to reside in a location designated by the court, Vice President Sara Duterte stated Sunday, September 21.
Addressing a rally in Nagoya, the Vice President explained her father understands the necessity of complying with ICC regulations. “He wants to go home to the Philippines,” she said. “But he knows that he will not be able to return to the Philippines, and he understands that when he appears for his interim release, he will not be able to go home to the Philippines. He will have to go only where the court tells him to go.”
Vice President Duterte preemptively countered potential arguments from the ICC prosecution regarding the risk of witness intimidation or further criminal activity. She cited the former President’s conduct during the 2012 commission on Human Rights (CHR) inquiry led by then-Chairperson Leila de Lima and the 2017 Senate hearings initiated by Senator Antonio Trillanes.
“He never threatened or harassed witnesses,” she asserted.Recalling Senator Trillanes’ questioning of witnesses, she quoted her father as saying, “‘Let them be. Let them investigate. Go on, what do you want to ask?'” she continued, “He does not have that kind of character or behavior. He did not do that when he was President. Why would he do it now, when he has trouble walking?”
The Vice President also argued that concerns about future crimes are unfounded, noting her father is no longer mayor of Davao City. She added that incarcerating a former mayor far from Davao City would be unjust to its citizens.
Concluding her remarks, Vice President Duterte maintained the ICC lacks justification to deny her father’s interim release, arguing he poses no flight risk, threat to witnesses, or inclination to commit further crimes.
