Rep. Duterte files petition for father’s release from ICC detention

Metro Manila, Philippines - Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte has filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) for the release of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, from detention at a facility of the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.

Duterte is now under ICC custody and will go through initial procedures before his trial in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity as result of his bloody drug war.

The petition for habeas corpus, certiorari and prohibition was filed on Wednesday, March 12. The lawmaker's counsel is former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. He said his father was “unlawfully arrested.”

The respondents to the petition are Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Philippine National Police chief PGen Rommel Marbil.

The younger Duterte also asked the court to nullify the government’s cooperation with the ICC and the International Criminal Police Organization, and ban cooperation with them.

In a chance interview, however, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said it will be a loss for the Philippines if it cuts ties with the Interpol.

He said the organization is a big help in solving transnational organized crimes such as money laundering, scamming, and offshore gaming.

“Ang trend ngayon sa buong mundo ay transnational organized crime. Kumabaga, ‘yung mga kriminal, lilipat lang ng ibang bansa, hindi na natin mahuhuli ‘yung mga ‘yun (kung aalis sa Interpol),” Clavano said.

[Translation: The global trend now is transnational organized crime across the world. If the criminals transfer to another country, we cannot arrest them if we withdraw from the Interpol.]

Duterte's siblings - Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” and Veronica “Kitty” Duterte - have also submitted separate petitions against the arrest.