Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte Now Detained in The Hague Detention Facility
RODRIGO DUTERTE – The initial appearance of the former Philippine President before the International Criminal Court is set today, March 14.
The arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte sparked countless headlines and elicited different reactions not only from the Filipinos but as well as the foreign entities. The International Criminal Court or the ICC welcomed the arrest and transfer of former Pres. Duterte.
Duterte is now in The Hague. He was flown out of the Philippines on the same day of his arrest. Three people (3) including former executive secretary Atty. Salvador Medialdea, a nurse, and a private assistance flew together with the former Philippine President.
The ICC has issued a warrant of arrest against Duterte over the allegations of crimes supposedly committed during the implementation of his administration’s war on drugs. Thousands of death were linked to the controversial campaign of the previous administration.
Before his landing in The Hague yesterday, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte released a statement telling the Filipinos not to worry. He stressed that he is fine and he will be accountable for everything that the military and the police did during his term under his orders.
The International Criminal Court confirmed that former Pres. Duterte is detained at the ICC detention center in Scheveningen. Prior to it, the Filipinos were left wondering when former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea said that there was no Rodrigo Duterte at the Hague Penitentiary Institution.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the initial appearance of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) is set today, March 14, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. local time or 9:00 p.m. Manila time prior to the Pre-Trial Chamber 1.
According to the report, the ICC hearing will be led by presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera. They were the three (3) judges who issued an arrest warrant against the former President.
The Article 60(1) of the Rome Statute stated that a person subject to an arrest warrant under Article 58 of the Statute shall make an appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber where he/she will be informed of the crime allegations against him/her, his/her rights under the Rome Statute, and the date for the hearing.
Based on the report, all the initial appearance before the Pre-Trial Chamber are public. Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte requested to be assisted by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea and the Office of Public Counsel for Defense.
Currently, there are rumors of a looming arrest warrant against Sen. Bato dela Rosa over his role in the drug war. Sen. Bato dela Rosa said he is ready to be with and take care of Duterte in case all legal remedies fail.