Opinion: In Manila, Ex-President Duterte Arrested, Flown to The Hague; Appears before Pre-Trial Chamber; Remains in International Criminal Court Custody By Manuel Caballero

ON MY WATCH

By MANUEL L. CABALLERO

BIG STORY THIS WEEK TO PINOYS EVERYWHERE IS EX-PRES. RODRIGO DUTERTE; HIS ARREST IN MANILA BY PNP AND INTERPOL PURSUANT TO ICC ARREST WARRANT FOR MURDER UNDER "CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY"; DUTERTE'S FLIGHT IN A CHARTERED JET TO THE HAGUE; HE FACED THE ICC PRE-TRIAL CHAMBER ON MARCH 12; HIS NEXT DATE WITH THE COURT IS SEPT. 23, 2025; MEANWHILE, THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS UNDER ICC CUSTODY AND IS DETAINED IN AN ICC FACILITY IN THE NETHERLANDS

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The long awaited and anticipated warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against former president Rodrigo Duterte has finally been issued and executed. 

As we know, the former PH chief executive, who is now under the custody of ICC has faced, (via video link from his detention place somewhere in The Hague), for the first time for 26 minutes, the three-woman judges of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber.

According to the Presiding Judge, the three aims of the initial meeting between the suspect Duterte and the Chamber were: 

1. To inform Mr. Duterte of the crimes he is suspected of having involvement. The number of crimes is 48 murdered individuals from 2011 to 2019, in Davao and in other parts of the country.

2. To inform Rodrigo Duterte of his rights as a suspect.

3. To set the next court hearing called "confirmation of charges," which means "to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed the crimes he or she is suspected of."

The hearing date for such procedure is Sept. 23, 2025.

Unless Mr. Duterte files for and is granted temporary relief, he will continue to be detained in the ICC facility in The Hague. I don't believe the Court will allow him to return to the PH while waiting for the next hearing.

We note the due process and the respect accorded to Mr. Duterte by ICC rules. At present, he is called a "suspect". After the Sept. hearing, he will be referred to as "defendant" if the Chamber will confirm the charges.

The suspect was allowed to be on video link last Wed. instead of actual physical appearance due to his health condition. Mr. Duterte is allowed to use a computer in his room without Internet connections for preparing his defense materials. He can meet with his lawyer.

He can also file for request to go home before the Sept. hearing. Depends, though, if it will be approved by the Court.

Over all of the above, Mr. Duterte is now living in his small detention room abroad as a prisoner.  Although, no one calls him as such.

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