Digong allies file Senate resolution seeking ICC interim release, house arrest of ex-president
By Dhel Nazario
Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Robinhood Padilla have jointly filed a Senate resolution on Monday, July 14, urging the Philippine government to advocate before the International Criminal Court (ICC) the interim release of former president Rodrigo Duterte and a house arrest arrangement in The Hague, Netherlands, due to health concerns.
The resolution emphasizes that Duterte has now been held for over 100 days at the ICC detention center as he awaits trial for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his bloody anti-illegal drugs campaign.
The senators stressed that Duterte’s advanced age, deteriorating health, and isolation from family warrant urgent humanitarian consideration.
Duterte’s family members who have visited him reported that his condition has worsened significantly.
They described drastic weight loss caused by appetite loss aggravated by the cold climate in The Hague. They claimed hat Duterte is weak, struggling to walk,is “skin and bones,” and no longer resembles his previous image.
The resolution notes that Duterte, in a video message uploaded on March 13, while en route to The Hague, reaffirmed his readiness to face proceedings, signaling that he has no intent to evade accountability for the service and sacrifices he made for the country.
In the proposed resolution, the senators also recalled reports that upon Duterte’s arrival in the Netherlands, he was reportedly offered the possibility of house arrest in a rented residence with access to his own doctor, nurse, and family members. However, no developments on this option have since materialized.
While acknowledging that the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, the senators stressed that this does not preclude the government from advocating for humane treatment for a Filipino citizen and former president.
They called on the Philippine government to act swiftly and in good conscience, to engage diplomatically with the ICC to secure an arrangement that ensures Duterte’s health and dignity while proceedings continue.
The resolution concludes by affirming the senators’ position that humanitarian considerations must guide the government’s engagement with the ICC on this matter, and ensuring that Duterte is afforded humane conditions consistent with his age, health, and service to the nation.
Go remained firm in his stance that the Philippines has a functioning judicial system that can determine the accountability of any citizen in accordance with its own laws.