Victims' lawyers urge ICC to keep former Philippine president detained
Representatives of drug-war victims filed a redacted request on September 15 asking the ICC’s Trial Chamber III to continue detaining former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing unchanged flight-risk and intimidation concerns.
On September 15, lawyers representing victims of the Philippines’ drug war submitted a redacted filing to the International Criminal Court’s Trial Chamber III, urging that former President Rodrigo Duterte stay in detention. The filing, signed by Gilbert Andres, Joel Butuyan and Paolina Massidda of the Common Legal Representatives of Victims, asserts that the conditions cited by the court - Duterte’s flight risk and potential to intimidate witnesses - have not changed.
They reference a new medical assessment that confirms he remains capable of fleeing and interfering with proceedings. Victims and their families continue to fear retaliation and community stigmatization linked to Duterte’s influence. The prosecution has also asked the Chamber to maintain the detention, whereas Duterte’s defense challenges the medical conclusions and requests additional examinations. The Chamber’s ruling on his continued detention and fitness to stand trial is still pending.
Why it matters
The request affects whether a former head of state will face trial for alleged crimes, influencing accountability and victim protection.
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