An ecumenical human rights group has opposed the request of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte for the International Criminal Court to temporarily release him from detention. Source: Crux.
Deaconess Rubylin Litao of the United Methodist Church, coordinator of the group Rise Up for Life and for Rights, spoke on behalf of the mothers of victims of Duterte drug war killings.
Mr Duterte is accused of ordering the killing of an estimated 30,000 individuals in his war on drugs, in a crimes against humanity case at the ICC in The Hague.
“For years, the mothers have waited with deep patience, while justice remains elusive. Duterte must remain in detention, as this ensures the long-overdue trial proceeds. Anything less would dishonour the suffering of the thousands killed and the grief of those left behind,” Ms Litao said in a statement.
“We pray that the wheels of justice must remain moving as the machinery of impunity remains active. Witnesses are still under threat. His release would jeopardise both the investigation and the lives of those who speak out,” she added in the statement, which was shared by the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
The statement came after Mr Duterte, through his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman, requested the ICC on June 12 for his interim release.
The Duterte camp argued that he is not a flight risk, “will not imperil proceedings if released,” and “will not continue to commit crimes.” They also appealed for humanitarian consideration for Mr Duterte, who is 80 years old.
The prosecution, however, opposed Mr Duterte’s request, casting doubt on the camp’s claim that he is not a flight risk.
“Mr Duterte’s proclamations that that he would rather die than appear before the court, or would ‘finish’ ICC staff assisting with his arrest and transfer in ‘a shootout’, is not consistent with the behaviour of an individual committed to returning for his appearance at trial and casts doubt on his recently stated commitment,” the prosecution said.
Divine Word Father Flavie Villanueva, one of the Catholic priests who has strongly criticised Mr Duterte, said the former president’s request for interim release is “a comic request”.
He said it is “a political/lawyering stunt” by Duterte’s lawyer.
“It’s both comical and futile. If it’s a matter of ‘due process,’ it’s something that should not even be allowed in the first place,” said Fr Villanueva in a Facebook post.
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Ecumenical group opposes Duterte’s request for temporary ICC release (By Joseph San Mateo, Crux)
