Duterte camp submits new plea for interim release

The camp of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has submitted a new "Defence Notification" to the International Criminal Court's Pre-Trial Chamber. 

In its submission to the Pre-Trial Chamber 1 dated September 16, 2025, Duterte's camp "wishes to proffer a further condition in respect of interim release."

"The Defence feels it appropriate to observe that the issue of fitness was raised prior to the initial appearance, and two requests were made, a considerable time ago, for status conferences to regulate litigation of the matter. The Prosecution, which wishes to detain Mr. Duterte, opposed these status conferences that could have regulated the timely [REDACTED]," Duterte's camp said. 

Duterte's lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, previously reiterated the former President's "fitness" as he claimed that his client is unable to recall events, places, timing, or even members of his close family.

The ICC had postponed Duterte's scheduled hearing, which was supposed to take place on September 23 amid his camp's claim that he is “not fit to stand trial.”

His camp is now hoping that the Pre-Trial Chamber will allow Duterte's interim release after the hearing has been postponed. 

"Although the Pre-Trial Chamber has ruled that there should be only a short adjournment of the proceedings, the hearing on the confirmation of charges has effectively been postponed sine diem... Considering the aforementioned, the Defence wishes to proffer a further condition in respect of interim release; namely, the provision of [REDACTED] at the discretion of the Pre-Trial Chamber, which will [REDACTED]. This [REDACTED], which would be a condition for release, would remain under the exclusive supervision of the Pre-Trial Chamber, and would be [REDACTED]," said Duterte's camp said in its submission.

"Mr. Duterte should not remain in detention while proceedings on fitness – now expected to take no less than [REDACTED] at a minimum – are underway. Administrative delay, occasioned by [REDACTED], cannot justify the abrogation of liberty. Provisional release should be ordered as soon as continuing detention ceases to be reasonable," Kaufmann added. 

Duterte's camp also said that the "the receiving State identified by the Defence as willing to host Mr Duterte will be required, as a condition for release, to facilitate [REDACTED] by the Court."

"Mr Duterte’s release while litigation on fitness is underway would ensure a proper balance between a suspect’s rights under the Statute while respecting the efficiency and integrity of the proceedings," said Duterte's camp. 

Aside from the Defense Notification, Kaufaman also submitted "Defence First Communication of Disclosure of Evidence on 5 September 2025."

"On 5 September 2025, the Defence disclosed to the Office of the Prosecutor and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims 29 items. On 11 September 2025, the Defence disclosed to the Office of the Prosecutor and the Office of Public Counsel for Victims one item."

“Tumawag siya last Friday. He’s okay,” said Sara Duterte.

(He called last Friday.)

“Nag-usap kami [ni former President Duterte] about politics, nag-usap kami about flood control, nag-usap kami about love life niya,” she added.

Duterte is currently detained at the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison on charges of crimes against humanity in relation to his administration’s drug war, which killed over 6,000 drug suspects in police operations per government records.

But human rights organizations estimate the death toll may have reached 30,000 due to unreported incidents. 

The ICC Prosecutor has submitted so far 12 batches of evidence, each containing items that range from hundreds to thousands.

More than 300 drug war victims have also applied to participate in the case. —VAL, GMA Integrated News