Trillanes expects ICC seize order on Duterte assets next

Metro Manila, Philippines – The International Criminal Court (ICC) may soon order the freezing or seizure of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s assets as he faces trial for crimes against humanity at The Hague in the Netherlands.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, former Senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes said a seizure order on Duterte’s assets is part of the tribunal’s proceedings on crimes under its jurisdiction.

"Meron pa nga palang isang kaakibat na order na lalabas siguro, itong order ng ICC ng seizure ng mga ari-arian ni Duterte," Trillanes said in an interview with “The Newsmaker.”

[Translation: There is an accompanying order that will likely be issued - the ICC’s order for the seizure of Duterte’s properties.]

Trillanes said the petitioners or drug war victims did not request the freeze order.

"Hindi po natin hiniling 'yan. Part ng proseso 'yan sa ICC. Kasi ang kanila, yung proceeds of the crime ay dapat hindi mapakinabangan ninuman. Kaya, ito si Duterte, ‘di ba, yung kanyang war on drugs, marami siyang pinapatay, yun lang yung nakita ng taong bayan…

“Since nabalot na sa takot dahil dito sa libo-libong pinagpapatay. At since nabalot na sa takot sila, pwede niya nang gawin yung mga illegal niyang gawain. Bukod sa illegal drug trading, pati yung corruption, yung iba't ibang proyekto ng gobyerno ang nakuha nila at nanakaw nila. At ito ang mga magiging subject sa seizure ng ICC," Trillanes said.

[Translation: We did not request this. It is part of the ICC process. Their rule is that crime proceeds should not benefit anyone. Duterte, with his war on drugs, had many people killed - that's what the public saw. Since the thousands of killings caused fear, Duterte was able to carry out his illegal activities. Apart from illegal drug trading, there was also corruption - various government projects that they took and stole. These will be subject to ICC seizure.]

The former senator, who filed a supplemental complaint with the ICC in 2017, said he expects the seizure order to be issued soon.

Under the Rome Statute, the ICC can ask member states to identify, trace, and freeze assets linked to crimes for forfeiture.

Trillanes said it remains unclear how the Marcos administration will respond, as the Philippines exited the ICC in March 2019.

"Ang tanong lang dito is kung ano ang magiging approach ng Marcos administration towards that specific order, pero kung may order man sila sa iba't ibang, kung may ari-arian ng mga Duterte sa iba't ibang parte ng mundo," Trillanes said.

[Translation: The question is how will the Marcos administration approach this specific order, if the ICC issues an order and the Dutertes have assets in different parts of the world.]

NewsWatch Plus is reaching out to Malacañang for comment.