Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte gather outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands. Jofelle Tesorio, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Carmelle Lacuata

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17722062017291772206199710.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte gather outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands. <em>Jofelle Tesorio, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s waiving of his right to appear in court due to his refusal to recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court has been cited by the Prosecution and by the legal representatives of the victims as reason for him to remain in detention.</p><p>Speaking during the review of detention hearing on Friday, senior trial lawyer Julian Nicholls said that Duterte, in his waiver, claimed to have been kidnapped and “forcibly pushed into a jet” and sent to The Hague in the Netherlands.</p><p>“None of which sounds as though those are the words of a person who would return voluntarily to the court,” he said.</p><p>Nicholls also said that Duterte’s refusal to follow the proceeding even through a video link, which he called a disrespect of the court, shows that it would be difficult to order his appearance before it should he be granted interim release.</p><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/18/duterte-waives-appearance-in-icc-confirmation-hearing-insists-lack-of-jurisdiction-2147">Duterte waives appearance in ICC confirmation hearing, insists lack of jurisdiction</a></div><p>The victims’ legal counsel Joel Butuyan echoed Nicholls&#x27; arguments, adding that Duterte&#x27;s non-recognition of ICC jurisdiction over him is a clear demonstration that “he will abscond from jurisdiction of this court” if released.</p><p>“If Mr. Duterte cannot even hide his contempt for this honorable court while he is already under detention, imagine how Mr. Duterte will use this contempt for the court if he is released,” Butuyan added.</p><p>Aside from his waiver, Butuyan said the cases filed at the Philippine Supreme Court, by the Duterte children and by his supporters, show that they will do whatever they can to bring Duterte back to the country “in order to free him from this court’s jurisdiction.”</p><p>Duterte supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court on Monday, ahead of the confirmation of charges hearing, calling for his return from the Netherlands.</p><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/23/duterte-supporters-urge-sc-to-settle-pending-habeas-corpus-petitions-1254">&#x27;He was kidnapped&#x27;: Duterte supporters urge SC to settle pending habeas corpus petitions</a></div><p>In January, Duterte&#x27;s children urged the Supreme Court to direct officials of the government to facilitate this return.</p><p>The Duterte scions have submitted their respective memoranda to the High Court following its directive in November last year. This is for the consolidated petitions concerning the arrest and transfer of the former president to the Netherlands.</p><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/6/duterte-siblings-urge-sc-to-prohibit-ph-gov-t-from-cooperating-with-icc-interpol-1730">Duterte siblings urge SC to prohibit PH gov&#x27;t from cooperating with ICC, Interpol; say issues on father&#x27;s arrest &#x27;not moot&#x27;</a></div><p>Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, after which he was brought to The Hague, where he has been detained since.</p><p>The ICC Appeals Chamber earlier rejected Duterte’s appeal for a conditional release, ruling he should remain in detention at The Hague.</p><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/28/icc-chamber-rejects-duterte-s-appeal-for-interim-release-1817">ICC appeals chamber rejects Duterte&#x27;s interim release bid</a></div>

<p>“If Mr. Duterte cannot even hide his contempt for this honorable court while he is already under detention, imagine how Mr. Duterte will use this contempt for the court if he is released,” victims’ legal counsel Joel Butuyan added.</p>

“If Mr. Duterte cannot even hide his contempt for this honorable court while he is already under detention, imagine how Mr. Duterte will use this contempt for the court if he is released,” victims’ legal counsel Joel Butuyan added.

Duterte rejection of ICC jurisdiction cited as ground for continued detention

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Duterte rejection of ICC jurisdiction cited as ground for continued detention

Rose Carmelle Lacuata,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 27, 2026 11:33 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

ICC

International Criminal Court

interim release

detention review

Duterte at the ICC

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