Duterte camp to ICC: Rule on case jurisdiction before September hearing

Metro Manila, Philippines - Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to rule on the issue of jurisdiction before ex-President Rodrigo Duterte appears for the confirmation of charges in September.

“We believe confirmation of charges is relevant, particularly in the elements of the crime. But we would want that the issue of jurisdiction be ruled upon at an earlier date,”

According to Roque, a member of Duterte’s counsel team, the ICC must clarify its stance on the case’s jurisdiction and the ex-leader’s arrest in Manila as it would be “pointless to proceed” without it.

Roque flew to The Hague ahead of Duterte’s initial appearance before the tribunal's pre-trial chamber.

“I think it is high time that the court clarify its position on this matter,” the lawyer said. “It is unacceptable that we accept jurisdiction acquired through kidnapping, especially when kidnapping took place in the context of the Philippines where the court is now being used as a tool of oppression by the Marcos government.”

The Palace has repeatedly insisted that Duterte’s arrest was in accordance with the government’s commitment to the International Police Organization (Interpol).

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro earlier said that arrest was common and based on Republic Act 9851 of the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing is set for September 23.

The former president is accused of committing murder, qualified as a crime against humanity, allegedly between November 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019, in the Philippines as part of his administration’s bloody war on illegal drugs.