Post by : Rameen Ariff

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to be held in detention in the Netherlands, the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed after appeals judges denied his request for provisional release. Duterte, 80, faces serious charges of crimes against humanity related to his aggressive and controversial “war on drugs” during his presidency and his earlier role as mayor of Davao City.

The ICC revealed that the charges stem from alleged extrajudicial killings carried out between November 1, 2011, when Duterte was mayor, and March 16, 2019, shortly before the Philippines formally withdrew from the court. These killings are said to have targeted thousands of mostly poor individuals suspected of involvement in illegal drugs. Duterte has denied authorizing these killings during his presidency from 2016 to 2022, though he openly encouraged police officers to use lethal force if drug suspects resisted arrest. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have linked these directives to the deaths of thousands of people.

Duterte was arrested earlier this year and transferred to the Netherlands, where he is currently held at an ICC facility. His legal team had argued that his health was deteriorating and requested provisional release. However, the Appeals Chamber concluded that the previous lower court decision to keep Duterte in detention was correct. Presiding judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez stated that the defense had failed to demonstrate any errors in the earlier ruling.

The former president was not present during the ruling. Duterte’s lawyers, however, have stated that they intend to submit a new request for his release once a complete medical assessment is completed next month. They emphasized the urgency of evaluating his health conditions before further proceedings continue.

During his time in office, Duterte’s public threats against drug suspects and encouragement of police violence sparked widespread controversy both in the Philippines and internationally. Thousands of suspected drug offenders were reportedly killed under his policies, which drew criticism from global human rights groups and governments. These policies have also fueled debates about accountability and justice in the Philippines, particularly regarding the rights of the poor and marginalized communities affected by the anti-drug campaigns.

The ICC’s decision to keep Duterte in detention highlights the court’s ongoing role in investigating alleged crimes against humanity and upholding international human rights standards. The ruling is expected to influence future proceedings and may intensify international scrutiny of Duterte’s policies and legacy. As the case moves forward, the world will closely watch whether Duterte’s health or legal appeals could impact his detention and the larger trial process.

This ruling marks a significant moment in the global legal effort to hold former leaders accountable for alleged human rights abuses. The case has drawn attention not only from the Philippines but also from international organizations, human rights activists, and governments monitoring accountability for extrajudicial killings and other serious crimes.

#Asia News