Rody house arrest sought

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to call on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to approve the interim release of former president Rodrigo Duterte and allow him house arrest.

- — With Bella Cariaso

Duterte's allies are calling for special treatment and due process of law, both of which were denied to thousands of drug suspects summarily killed by law enforcers at the height of his administration's drug war.

Cayetano, who served as Duterte's foreign affairs secretary, proposed that the 80-year-old former president be placed under house arrest at the Philippine embassy in The Hague while awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.

Duterte should "be afforded the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty," the resolution read.

Cayetano cited Duterte's deteriorating health, old age and prolonged social isolation.