THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied former President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release, pointing to Vice President Sara Duterte’s public statements as a key factor influencing its decision.
In a resolution penned by Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, the ICC said Sara Duterte’s July remark that she would “break her father out” of ICC detention, along with her public claims that the court used fake witnesses and engaged in collusion, undermined the credibility of Duterte’s assurances to comply with court conditions.
The ruling also cited Sara Duterte’s August comments, where she suggested that her father intended to return to Davao City if released—contradicting his defense team’s statement that he would remain in the ICC’s host country.
Judge Motoc wrote that the Vice President’s remarks, coupled with the former president’s continued political influence and strong support network, heightened the risk of flight if he were temporarily freed.
As a result, the ICC ordered Duterte to remain in detention as he faces charges of murder and attempted murder classified as crimes against humanity under the court’s jurisdiction.
