Palace: ICC pre-trial hearing shows Duterte was afforded his rights

Metro Manila, Philippines - The International Criminal Court (ICC) pre-trial hearing on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s case showed that the ex-leader was “afforded his fundamental rights as a suspect,” the Palace said on Friday.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Duterte is being given a “fair trial” amidst claims that the former chief executive is not being treated properly at The Hague.

“Everybody could see how justice starts to roll down,” she said. “It reveals further that (former president) Duterte was indeed afforded his fundamental rights as a suspect of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, contrary to Duterte's camp statements.”

Castro pointed out how the Court confirmed that Duterte was informed of his rights and that he was aware of the warrant of arrest in the English language.

The Palace official also said the request to postpone Duterte’s first appearance was denied “since there is no need and it is not yet the time for the suspect to present his defenses and evidence.”

"The judge even emphasized that the Court's doctor gave the opinion that (former president) Duterte is fully mentally aware and fit and that he had undergone further checks and tests at the detention facility," she added.

Duterte appeared before the ICC for the first time on Friday, March 14, in the Netherlands in connection with charges of crimes against humanity and in what could be a long drawn out legal battle.

READ: Duterte faces ICC ‘virtually’; confirmation of charges hearing on Sept. 23 

The charges read to Duterte relate to allegations of murder as a crime against humanity, covering killings attributed to the so-called Davao Death Squad and those committed during his administration’s war on drugs as Davao City mayor and president.

The accusations span from Nov. 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019 when the country exited from the Rome Statute at the instance of Duterte himself.