House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima welcomed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to reject former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bid for interim release.
The ICC ruled that his detention remains necessary under the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the tribunal.
“That was quick,” De Lima said in a message to Manila Standard.
In a decision dated Oct. 10, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I found that Duterte continues to pose risks of flight, obstruction, and potential commission of related crimes.
“We welcome the rejection of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber of Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release,” said De Lima, a former justice secretary.
She said the swift denial of Duterte’s plea for interim release is not a surprise.
De Lima, a lawyer and also former senator, agreed with the ICC’s position noting that the defense panel’s plea “lacks support both in fact and in the Rome Statute.”
“The ICC does not easily issue warrants of arrest without any inkling of the weight of the evidence. In the case of Duterte, the evidence is strong enough for the ICC to require his detention during trial,” she said.
“This denial is an indication of the strength of the evidence against Duterte,” De Lima pointed out.
The lawmaker said this development just showed everyone that the ICC is a “no-nonsense court” and “will spare no sacred cows.”
“It will not show favor to anyone, and will only listen to reason and side with what is just and right,” De Lima said of the ICC.
“We also saw how influential Duterte still is in the country. That’s why, as we continue to call for justice and accountability, we should also protect the witnesses and encourage other victims of the murderous ‘War on Drugs’ to speak out and join our fight,” she added.
Duterte was charged with three counts of crimes against humanity, involving the death of 78 individuals in the anti-illegal drugs campaign while he was Davao City mayor and during his term as president.
