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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte defense renews bid for interim release ahead of ICC confirmation hearing

Duterte defense renews bid for interim release ahead of ICC confirmation hearing

Published Feb 7, 2026 03:13 pm
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (ICC Photos)
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (ICC Photos)
The camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte renewed its bid for his interim release from International Criminal Court (ICC) custody, filing a submission dated Feb. 5, 2026, just weeks before the scheduled confirmation of charges hearing later this month.
In the filing before Pre-Trial Chamber I, the defense asked the Court to revisit earlier rulings denying provisional liberty and argued that continued detention is no longer justified under the standards set by the Rome Statute.
The confirmation hearing is set for Feb. 23 to 27.

Renewed request

The defense submission, filed by Nicholas Kaufman, represents the latest attempt to secure Duterte’s temporary release while proceedings continue, following similar applications that were previously rejected by the Court.
In its arguments, the defense contended that the legal thresholds for continued detention — including concerns over flight risk, interference with the investigation, or obstruction of proceedings — are not met in the present circumstances.
It reiterated that the Pre-Trial Chamber committed errors by refusing to consider a new medical report, supposedly prepared by a neurologist and a neuropsychologist, that shows Duterte’s impaired executive functioning, decision-making, and physical condition make him incapable of fleeing, interfering with witnesses or proceedings, or committing further crimes.
They asserted that alternative arrangements or conditions could sufficiently guarantee Duterte’s appearance before the Court and compliance with judicial directives.

Arguments raised

According to the filing, the defense maintained that detention should remain an exceptional measure and that the Court must continually reassess whether it remains necessary at each stage of proceedings.
The lawyers pointed to factors they said weigh in favor of release, including Duterte’s willingness to participate in the process and the availability of safeguards that could be imposed should provisional liberty be granted.
They also argued that the proximity of the confirmation proceedings underscores the need to reassess the proportionality and necessity of continued custody.

Previous appeals

The renewed application follows earlier requests for interim release that the Chamber denied, ruling at the time that detention remained warranted under ICC rules.
By submitting the Feb. 5 filing days ahead of the confirmation hearing, the defense again seeks to persuade judges to reconsider that position in light of updated circumstances and procedural developments.
Duterte faces allegations of crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder linked to his anti-drug campaign, charges he denies.
He was arrested in March 2025 pursuant to an ICC warrant and transferred to The Hague, where he has remained in detention pending pre-trial proceedings.
The upcoming confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
The ICC has yet to rule on the latest defense submission seeking interim release.

Related Tags

ICC President Duterte Rodrigo Duterte Nicholas Kaufman
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