Julia Christine Botin

Victims’ kin to oppose interim ICC release for Duterte — Colmenares

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17497885883871749788586156.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Families of drug war victims expressed relief and hope for justice following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte during a press conference at the UCCP Chapel in Quezon City on March 12, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Lawyers for families of people killed in the violent anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte will oppose his motion for provisional release by the International Criminal Court, human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares said.</p><p>In a statement, the former Bayan Muna representative said Duterte’s release would put victims at more risk of harassment and attack and would make it easier for Duterte to “escape” ICC jurisdiction.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/12/interim-release-from-icc-sought-for-detained-duterte-0055">Interim release from ICC sought for detained Duterte</a></div><div><strong>VICTIMS CAN STILL ASSERT RIGHTS</strong></div><p>“The victims and their legal representatives may still assert their right to submit their opposition to Duterte’s application,” Colmenares said.</p><p>He said lawyers will argue that a provisional release would violate a Rome Statute requirement to ensure Duterte will appear at trial and “that he will not obstruct or endanger the investigation or the court proceedings.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/12/-50-50-odds-duterte-could-get-icc-interim-release-victims-lawyer-0754">‘50-50’ odds that ICC will grant Duterte interim release: victims’ lawyer<br/></a></div><p>Colmenares pointed out that Duterte has repeatedly attacked the ICC, its judges and its prosecutor and “there is no evidence that Kaufman can submit to prove that he is now willing to follow the orders of the Court.“</p><p>Duterte&#x27;s legal team is seeking his provisional release to an undisclosed country, citing his health, advanced age, and the supposed decrease in his power and influence since he is no longer president. </p><p>Speaking in March about the prospect of Duterte&#x27;s release, the National Union of People&#x27;s Lawyers said &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/14/duterte-should-not-be-granted-interim-release-by-icc-say-drug-war-victims-1035">interim release pending trial is a right of the accused... [But] victims believe he is a flight risk</a> — he is running for mayor of Davao City — and a threat to the safety of witnesses and evidence.&quot;</p><div><br/></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/w_FzYwT4x9Q?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>FLIGHT RISK AND A THREAT TO VICTIMS</strong></div><p>Colmenares said that Duterte “has the resources and the network of support” to help him escape as he pointed out that his family retains power and influence.</p><p>He added the victims and their lawyers have been under attack since his arrest and transfer to The Hague in March.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/20/mother-being-mocked-online-lost-2-sons-during-different-administrations-lawyer-1916">Mother being mocked online lost 2 sons during different administrations: lawyer<br/></a></div><p>“Given the long history of threats, harassment, and even killings targeting victims, witnesses, and human rights lawyers, we assert that Duterte’s release will escalate these attacks,” Colmenares said.</p><p>He said that even if Duterte lawyer Nicholas Kaufman says ICC prosecutors have not objected to the bid for provisional release, the motion still needs to be debated.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/23/bato-to-probe-own-claim-icc-team-forcing-ex-cops-to-testify-vs-him-duterte-1514">Bato to probe own claim ICC team ‘forcing’ ex-cops to testify vs him, Duterte<br/></a></div><p>In a separate statement, rights alliance Karapatan said it also opposes &quot;all machinations&quot; by Duterte that it said are meant to evade accountability.</p><p>&quot;Granting such motion would send a dangerous signal that fascists like him are afforded special treatment,&quot; it said.</p><p>Karapatan added victims, their families, and witnesses face a higher risk of reprisal if he is released since &quot;the political infrastructure of the Dutertes remain in place.&quot; <strong>— Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News</strong></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/86GQR9UXefE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>