Human rights advocates hailed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) refusal to release former president Rodrigo Duterte, calling it a crucial step toward accountability for crimes against humanity committed under his so-called “war on drugs.”
Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the ICC’s decision “is a win for justice” and affirms “the position of the victims and their families that there are just and reasonable grounds to continue to hold Duterte in detention for his crimes against humanity.”
She said Duterte’s “propensity to evade justice for years is enough reason to underscore his capability to do the same in the course of the trial,” stressing that his political and financial network continues to pose a threat to witnesses and the integrity of the proceedings.
“This recent legal loss of Duterte is a product of the relentless campaigns and work of the victims and their families, as well as the lawyers, human rights community, and the people’s organizations who persist in keeping watch over the ICC proceedings, despite the delaying tactics employed by Duterte and his ilk,” Palabay said.
Rights advocates said the ruling underscores how years of documentation, organizing, and advocacy by victims and their families continue to pierce the wall of impunity that shielded Duterte and his officials for years.
Atty. Kristina Conti, assistant to counsel for the ICC, said the Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision reflects a balanced and fair consideration of all parties.
“The judges have clearly listened to all parties, and most especially the victims, in its decision-making,” she said, describing the ruling as a rare “trust and respect for victims, often overlooked in international law.”
Conti said Duterte’s continuing detention “is still necessary,” and noted that it may encourage more victims and witnesses to come forward.
“With the detention of Duterte, the mastermind in the Netherlands, we expect victims and witnesses of the ‘war on drugs’ here in the Philippines to be more emboldened to participate—perhaps the victims of all his other crimes as well,” she said.
She added that while the ruling is encouraging, key questions remain pending before the ICC, including whether the court has jurisdiction and if Duterte is fit to stand trial.
“We await and hold on to the maxim: the wheels of justice turn slow, but grind exceedingly fine,” Conti said.
The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled on Friday that Duterte, 80, remains a flight risk and could influence witnesses if released.
Judges said his political network, including his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, could help him abscond, concluding that his detention “remains necessary” to ensure his presence during the proceedings.
Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11 and flown to The Hague that same night. He faces three counts of crimes against humanity linked to at least 76 killings under his anti-drug campaign and earlier operations in Davao City.
Human rights groups said the ICC ruling offers renewed hope to victims and families seeking justice after years of impunity.
“Justice has been long delayed, but the persistence of the victims and the people continues to bring it closer to reality,” Palabay said.
