Victims cite Duterte's threats, influence in opposing release

Victims of former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs have opposed his request for interim release from detention, warning that allowing him to go free—temporarily or otherwise—could endanger their lives and destabilize the country.

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In a document dated June 25, Paolina Massidda, principal counsel of the Office of Public Counsel for Victims, asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I to reject Duterte's request, urging the court to keep him in detention until proceedings move forward.

"The release of Mr Duterte will not only be a great destabilising factor to the volatile security situation in the country as a whole, but will pose a direct and significant danger to the victims who have demonstrated courage in applying to participate in the present proceedings in order to contribute to the search for the truth, despite risks of being threatened or otherwise stigmatised," the victims' filing read.

According to the submission, victims believe Duterte's continued detention is the only way to ensure his appearance at trial.