The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday rejected what it called “baseless claims” made in a written submission by a Japanese nongovernment organization seeking the provisional release of former president Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC) through the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
In a statement, the DFA said it does not expect the UNHRC or the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to take action on the appeal by the International Career Support Association (ICSA).
“On the statement itself, we anticipate that no action will be taken on it by the Human Rights Council or the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)… This is not the first time the (ICSA) has brought these baseless claims before the United Nations. None of its previous actions have borne any fruit,” the DFA said.
This statement addresses a circulating written submission by ICSA to the 62nd session of the UNHRC questioning Duterte’s ongoing detention at the ICC, claiming the case is politically motivated.
The ICSA also accused President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s administration of targeting the Duterte family ahead of the 2028 elections.
The DFA argued that records from the UNHRC, the OHCHR, and various UN member states contradict ICSA’s claims, instead indicating calls for accountability.
Duterte has been at the ICC since March 2025, after being taken to The Hague following his arrest on a warrant related to alleged crimes against humanity tied to his administration’s drug war.
