ICC to PH: Protect witnesses vs former president Duterte

“There is an official word already that they have gone to our Witness Protection Program to secure the people who may be needed to testify in The Hague,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said in an interview on ANC.

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Remulla disclosed that the DOJ is extending its support and cooperation on the request which, he said, is well-founded.

Duterte is currently detained in The Hague and faces charges of crimes against humanity before the ICC in connection with the extrajudicial killings that took place during his illegal drugs war. His camp had earlier sought his interim release, a move opposed by the prosecution.

Remulla also opposes the request for Duterte’s interim release. He said “the court itself knows it took a lot to be able to bring him before The Hague, before the ICC, and it’s not going to be easy to bring him back in case it loses possession of him or custody of him.”

The DOJ secretary also said that Duterte can get the best medical care in the Netherlands and “moving him might even cause a few more adjustments that may not be good for him.”

Although the identity of the prospective host country was redacted, Remulla said he believes it is a country in South America.

He said that based on his knowledge, when ICC relocates people they are sent to South America.

ICC prosecutor nixes Duterte’s release

The ICC prosecutor has formally opposed the application for interim release of Duterte, citing among others, the public statements and remarks by him and his family.

In a 15-page document uploaded on the ICC website on June 23 and signed by ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, the prosecution formally requested the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I (PTC I) to “reject the defense’s request for the interim release of Mr. Duterte.”