Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

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/17793453043111779345300952.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A protester holds a life-size cartboard cutouts of former Philippines&#x27; president Rodrigo Duterte during a demonstration in his support outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on February 23, 2026. Simon Wohlfahrt, AFP/File </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) Registry has pushed back against claims by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team that he had been suffering “frequent episodes of falls” while under detention in The Hague, saying the incidents occurred only on “rare occasions” and were “consistent with his age and mobility.”</p><p>In a public redacted filing dated May 20, the registry confirmed Duterte remained under continuous cell monitoring at the ICC Detention Centre for “health and safety reasons,” citing medical advice that he is “an elderly detained person, with increased fall risk due to age and several chronic physical ailments.”</p><p>The Registry said the monitoring allows detention staff “to observe Mr Duterte 24/7 and respond to any need he may have and reduce the response time should there be any incident.”</p><p>The filing was submitted in response to a May 8 motion by Duterte’s former lead defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, seeking observations based on surveillance footage and documentation concerning Duterte’s alleged loss of balance while detained.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/duterte-at-the-icc">Duterte at ICC: News and Updates</a></div><p>In that filing, Duterte’s lawyers argued there had been “a prima facie change in circumstances” warranting reconsideration of the factors justifying his continued detention. The defense claimed Duterte had experienced “frequent episodes of falls occasioned by a loss of balance” and had “lost his balance and collapsed several times while in detention and, on one occasion, was evacuated to hospital.”</p><p>But the registry disputed such claims.</p><p>“On rare occasions where Mr Duterte did have a fall, ICC DC custody staff were able to respond immediately to assist him, and immediately call for medical assessment,” it stated.</p><p>“Following these rare events, adjustments have been made to his cell, to better accommodate his comfort and movement and are adjusted as needed. Regarding his loss of balance, the MO and Mr Duterte’s medical specialists are responsible for assessments that are on a medical level. From the perspective of management and operational security, Mr Duterte’s movements are consistent with his age and mobility,” it added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/23/icc-confirms-all-charges-vs-duterte-commits-him-to-trial-1649">Duterte to face ICC trial after judges confirm charges </a></div><p>The Registry said detention staff and medical personnel have made “ergonomic adjustments” inside Duterte’s cell and visiting rooms “in order to allow him to have more free and stable movement.” </p><p>It also disclosed that “there has not been any fall recorded in the last thirty days.”</p><p>Duterte’s lawyers had requested access to surveillance footage from the detention facility, arguing the material was directly relevant to assessing the former president’s physical condition and its possible impact on the ICC’s detention risk analysis, including alleged flight risk and the risk of obstructing proceedings.</p><p>In the same filing, Duterte’s lawyers cited a March 24, 2026 clinical consultation note stating that “forgetfulness becomes apparent” and that Duterte “does not know today’s date and guesses July or September for the month.”</p><p>The Registry, however, stressed that Duterte’s medical care “remains assured and under constant attention.”</p><p>Under ICC rules, detainees are entitled to periodic detention reviews, including mandatory reviews at least every 120 days. Duterte’s interim release request was previously denied by ICC judges, who found risks that he could flee, obstruct proceedings, or endanger witnesses and victims.</p><p>In separate observations filed May 8, ICC prosecutors maintained that “there have been no changes in circumstances or new facts” that would justify reversing previous rulings keeping Duterte in detention.</p><p>Duterte’s new defense team, now led by British lawyer Peter Haynes, has also asked Trial Chamber III to order a fresh medical evaluation to determine Duterte’s fitness for trial. </p><p>Haynes argued that the earlier assessment finding Duterte fit to participate in proceedings was conducted during the pre-trial phase, before the case was committed to trial following the confirmation of charges last April 23.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/19/icc-prosecution-eyes-20-30-witnesses-to-testify-orally-in-duterte-trial-1445">ICC prosecution eyes 20-30 witnesses to testify orally in Duterte trial; Over 13,000 evidence still pending review</a><br/><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/18/icc-formalizes-peter-haynes-appointment-as-duterte-s-new-legal-counsel-1758">ICC formalizes Peter Haynes’ appointment as Duterte’s new legal counsel </a><br/><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/19/australian-lawyer-kate-gibson-joins-duterte-s-icc-defense-team-1935">Australian lawyer Kate Gibson joins Duterte&#x27;s ICC defense team </a></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/zFkzKTgYaAE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The ICC Registry has pushed back against claims by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team that he had been suffering “frequent episodes of falls” while under detention in The Hague, saying the incidents occurred only on “rare occasions” and were “consistent with his age and mobility.”</p>

The ICC Registry has pushed back against claims by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team that he had been suffering “frequent episodes of falls” while under detention in The Hague, saying the incidents occurred only on “rare occasions” and were “consistent with his age and mobility.”

ICC Registry says Duterte’s falls were ‘rare occasions,’ disputes defense claim of ‘frequent episodes’

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ICC Registry says Duterte’s falls were ‘rare occasions,’ disputes defense claim of ‘frequent episodes’

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 21, 2026 02:35 PM PHT

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Updated May 21, 2026 03:18 PM PHT

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