Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on ICC Interim Release Application of Dad Rodrigo
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President said a “third country” committed to host former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s interim release.
Amid the flood control issue in the Philippines now, former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is ‘frustrated’ that he cannot do anything for the country according to his daughter, Vice Pres. Duterte. The former Chief Executive is detained under the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands for around six (6) months now.
Duterte is faced with an allegation of crimes against humanity over the war on drugs of his administration. Supposedly, his confirmation of charges hearing is set on September 23 but it was postponed by the ICC after his lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, claimed that the former President is “not fit to stand trial”.
According to Nicholas Kaufman, his client is allegedly suffering from a ‘cognitive impairment’ that will supposedly remain static or deteriorate further even with a medical intervention. The British-Israeli Lawyer asked the ICC to suspend all legal proceedings indefinitely.
In August, the camp of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte renewed their request for his ICC interim release to an undisclosed country. They initially made the application in June but, soon after, asked the foreign court to hold off in making a decision as they await some documents and information that will support their application.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte spoke on the interim release request of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Based on a report on GMA News, a “third country” committed to host the interim release of the former Chief Executive.
“Kung makikita niyo sa ICC (International Criminal Court) website, meron ng third country doon. Meron ng isang bansa na nagsabi na ‘Okay lang,’ na ‘Dito ninyo ilagay si Dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte’,” the Vice President said.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte did not disclose which country committed to host the interim release of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte but clarified that it is not Japan. Based on the report, Australia also previously clarified that it has refused to host the former President.
According to Vice Pres. Duterte, it took them a while to file for the interim release application of former Pres. Duterte as she had to use her contacts abroad. She stressed that she cannot trust anyone in the Philippines.
“Medyo natagalan ang pag-file namin ng interim release dahil kinausap pa namin at naghanap pa ako ng tutulong sa akin dahil wala akong mapagkakatiwalaan doon sa Pilipinas. Ginamit ko ang aking mga nakilala sa labas ng Pilipinas dahil sa aking trabaho, nakiusap ako sa kanila na tulungan ninyo kami,” the Vice President said.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte admitted that negotiating with a country is not easy. Meanwhile, based on the report, she stressed that the prayers of their supporters paved the way.
“So medyo matagal ‘yun dahil hindi madali makipag-negosasyon sa isang bansa. Pero sabi ko nga, dahil sa pagdarasal ninyo, may mga good news na nangyari, so mayroong isang bansa na nagsabi, ‘Sige, okay’,” she said.
Amid their bid for his interim release, the lawyer of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte claimed that he is allegedly unable to remember places, events, and even family members.