Duterte's interim release unlikely

The interim release of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippines seems unlikely as the government maintains that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the country.

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS and RAYMUND ANTONIO

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after an ICC spokesperson said the international court would possibly grant Duterte's interim release if the Philippines agreed to it and to certain guidelines and conditions the court sets.

In a press briefing on Thursday, March 27, Castro said doing so would mean the Philippines accepts that the ICC has jurisdiction over the country.

"Does it mean that we have to recognize that ICC has jurisdiction over the Philippines? I believe the family of former President Duterte is asking and praying for the Supreme Court that the government should not cooperate with the ICC," she said. "So, it means that if we will not cooperate with the ICC, even that prayer or even that manifestation of the ICC, we will not recognize as of that."

ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah, in an interview with GMA Integrated News, said the Philippines has to accept technical measures and conditions for the ICC judges to decide whether to grant the former president's request for an interim release.

While there is no word yet on whether the Duterte camp has already applied for an interim release, lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman had already hinted earlier of the filing for the former president's temporary release.