Is the Netherlands eyed as host for Duterte’s interim release?

The Netherlands could potentially host former president Rodrigo Duterte if he is granted interim release, International Criminal Court (ICC)-registered assistant counsel Kristina Conti said.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO

"The Netherlands, obviously because it will be a transit country," the lawyer, who is in The Hague, said in an interview on DZMM, citing the ICC records.

Conti explained that the option for the Netherlands to be the country of interim release—instead of merely being the transit country—is also being studied.

"They said maybe he can go straight to the third country or whatever country that is, but actually, the Netherlands, maybe you can host him for the rest of the period of interim release. What if he stays there," she said.

The lawyer pointed out that the defense—from a practical point of view—was merely saying that it would be easier for the former president to be under house arrest in the Netherlands to reduce travel time when he needs to go back to court.

However, Conti said that the more important consideration is the conditions under which the interim release might be granted.

"For me, the country is not important but the conditions. The conditions, the risk factors," she stressed.