Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA - Human rights groups on Friday welcomed the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber’s decision to uphold an earlier ruling denying former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release. </p><p>They called the judgment a crucial step toward long-awaited accountability for drug-war killings. </p><p>The Appeals Chamber issued its ruling on November 28 in open court, with the proceedings streamed live on the ICC website. </p><p>In Quezon City, families of drug war victims and rights advocates gathered at the UP Law Center to await the decision, breaking into relieved applause when the judgment was read. </p><p>“The victims have already waited far too long for Duterte’s trial to begin,” said KARAPATAN Secretary General Cristina Palabay in a statement. “With the Appeals Chamber upholding the denial of interim release, the hearing on the confirmation of charges should immediately commence. No more delays.”</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/28/icc-chamber-rejects-duterte-s-appeal-for-interim-release-1817"><strong>ICC appeals chamber rejects Duterte&#x27;s interim release bid</strong></a></div><p>The group warned that allowing Duterte temporary freedom would have heightened threats to witnesses and relatives of those killed in anti-drug operations—a concern repeatedly raised by victims’ groups since Duterte first sought interim release. </p><p>Palabay added that there was no guarantee the former president would appear for future hearings if released. </p><p>“This decision brings a measure of certainty to the victims’ quest for justice at the ICC,” she said. “It does not mean the struggle is over, but it keeps the path open—and victims now have that degree of assurance that Duterte remains in detention.”</p><p>KARAPATAN and HUSTISYA (Victims United for Justice) noted that the Appeals Chamber’s ruling affirms the ICC’s assessment that Duterte’s continued detention is both necessary and proportionate, citing the seriousness of the charges, potential risks to witnesses, and Duterte’s ability to obstruct justice. </p><p>“We welcome this ruling as just and necessary,” Palabay said in a statement. “We remain committed to pursuing the case against Duterte at the ICC, especially given the impossibility of attaining even an iota of justice from Philippine courts. We will continue to use all available platforms, domestic and international, to ensure the thousands of lives lost to the drug war are not forgotten.”</p><p>“Justice and accountability remain our goals,” KARAPATAN added. “This ruling brings us another step closer.”</p><div><br/><strong>RULING SADDENS SEN. PADILLA, GO</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla bewailed the ICC&#x27;s rejection of Duterte&#x27;s appeal for interim release. </p><p>&quot;Malungkot, syempre. Kasi tagal kong inantay yun. Medyo nakatutok na ako sa TV kanina. Kaya nga ko umalis sa plenary sandal,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Pero nung nagbabasa na yung judge, yung nasabi na niya yung mga merits, sabi ko sa aking lawyer, wala na to. Kasi inaasahan natin yun. Matanda na si Digong. Hindi naman tayo humihingi ng kahit ano na hindi naman siya threat. Kasi sinasabi threat.&quot; </p><p>Asked if he will go to the Hague, Padilla said, &quot;Matagal pa ang recess namin eh. Hindi naman pwedeng umalis ng hindi pa tapos. Pero siyempre, babalik.&quot; </p><p>Asked if he spoke to Vice President Sara Duterte, Padilla said, &quot;Kahapon, hindi kami nagkausap tungkol doon pero narinig ko siya. May kausap siya eh. Wala, hindi ko matandaan kung sino. Si Senator JV ba o si SP yung kausap niya nung sinabi niya na papunta siya ng Hague. Sinabi niya pa kung sino yung nandun ngayon eh.&quot;</p><p>Also expressing his sadness was Senator Christopher Lawrence &quot;Bong&quot; Go, who had served as Special Assistant to the President during the Duterte administration.</p><p>&quot;It is with utmost sadness that former President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s appeal for interim release has been denied.  Nevertheless, we respect the decision and trust the whole process,&quot; he said <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.facebook.com/senatorbonggo/posts/pfbid0vx78Yd44HnFBTbc9ChXLSXMyfQyQERPkPyPu9sCVTZiPhsfA7sQTACxb1fRj5Mtwl">in a statement</a>, Saturday.</p><p>Go stressed that while the decision was disappointing, he still believes that truth and justice will prevail, and called for calm and unity.</p><p>&quot;Let us continue showing support for FPRRD in ways that uphold peace and respect,&quot; he said. &quot;In the end, our faith remains—in the law, in due process, and in God.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Patuloy kong ipagdarasal na gabayan tayong lahat at makita ng buong mundo ang kabuuan ng katotohanan at tuluyang makalabas si Tatay Digong sa tamang panahon,&quot; added Go. &quot;Ang importante ngayon ay patuloy po nating ipagdasal ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ni Tatay Digong.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DE LIMA, TRILLANES REACT</strong> </div><p>Mamamayang Liberal Party Rep. Leila De Lima said the camp of Duterte should blame themselves over the ICC&#x27;s ruling. </p><p>&quot;Wala namang ibang may kasalanan dito kung hindi si Duterte at kanyang mga pamilya at supporters sa kanilang mga statements sa media na ginamit ng ICC Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC ) sa pag-deny sa interim release, na sinang-ayunan naman ng Appeals Chamber,&quot; she said in a statement. </p><p>&quot;Siguro maghinay-hinay muna ang mga anak at supporters ni Duterte lalo na si Baste, na kamakailan lang ay nagdeklara na maglilista na naman sila ng mga adik para sa panibagong drug war sa Davao. Mga ganitong deklarasyon ang hindi nakakatulong sa kanyang ama.&quot; </p><p>But given reputation of Duterte&#x27;s family, she doubts if they will change their strategy. </p><p>&quot;Alam naman natin, kailan pa ba naghinay-hinay ang isang Duterte? Special sila. Nakakulong na nga ang ama, patuloy pa rin ang kanilang impunity,&quot; she said.</p><p>Former Senator Antonio &quot;Sonny&quot; Trillanes IV, for his part, said the camp of Duterte should stop giving their supporters &quot;false hopes.&quot; </p><p>He also doubts the Duterte patriarch will still be able to return to the Philippines soon. </p><p>&quot;Ngayon na natuldukan na yang interim release na yan, sana ay wag nang magpaasa ang leaders ng duterte camp sa mga supporters nila,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Di na makakalaya si duterte bilang kabayaran sa libu-libong Pilipinong pinapatay nya.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div> <strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3xuYAxtaecs??si=8fSVMa5P77VXbEQM&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Human rights groups on Friday welcomed the ICC Appeals Chamber’s decision to uphold an earlier ruling denying former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release.</p>

Human rights groups on Friday welcomed the ICC Appeals Chamber’s decision to uphold an earlier ruling denying former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for interim release.

Rights groups hail ICC chamber decision rejecting Duterte’s interim release

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Rights groups hail ICC chamber decision rejecting Duterte’s interim release

Lyza Aquino,

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 28, 2025 06:55 PM PHT

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Updated Nov 29, 2025 02:02 PM PHT

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ICC

Rodrigo Duterte

interim release

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