The International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for interim release, confirming that he will remain in detention at the court’s facility in The Hague.
The decision, delivered Friday by Presiding Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, upholds a previous ruling by the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I, which had denied Duterte’s request for temporary freedom. The Appeals Chamber found no errors in the original judgment, emphasizing that releasing the former leader could undermine ongoing proceedings and pose risks to witnesses and the integrity of investigations.
Duterte’s legal team had argued that the court had incorrectly assessed him as a flight risk, dismissed guarantees from a receiving state, and failed to give sufficient weight to humanitarian factors, including his age and health. However, the Appeals Chamber concluded that none of these points justified interim release.
The former president remains detained at the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen, facing multiple charges of crimes against humanity linked to alleged extrajudicial killings during his controversial “war on drugs,” both as Davao City mayor and later as president.
Duterte’s family expressed acceptance of the ruling, saying they will continue to support his defense. Meanwhile, victims’ groups and human-rights advocates welcomed the decision, noting that continued custody helps ensure the safety of witnesses and survivors who might otherwise face intimidation.
The ruling also paves the way for the next phase of the case, including the scheduling of the confirmation-of-charges hearing, which had previously been delayed due to the interim release request.
With the Appeals Chamber’s decision, Duterte remains under ICC custody, awaiting the further progression of the historic trial.
