Duterte update: To release or not to release

It was pretty chilly while I was at Den Haag but it wasn't just about the weather.

- PIA ROCES MORATO

It was the fact that I was on my way to the International Criminal Court where former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte was being detained that caused the chilling effect. Literally.

While on the bus, my companion and I were fortunate enough to have kind-hearted OFWs give us clear directions for our journey and the right stops that would lead us to the ICC. It wasn't only cold, it was also rainy. One OFW we encountered even asked if there was an event that day, which meant that many Filipinos in The Hague were up to date on occurrences that happen with regard to the former president.

The Dutch people are fully aware of the Philippine situation. They have witnessed the rallies in honor of Duterte. The International Criminal Court, or the ICC, has as its founding treaty the Rome Statute that grants the ICC jurisdiction over four crimes, namely: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggression.