Palace: Duterte lawyer 'twisted facts' in request for interim release

Malacañang on Saturday called out the lead defense counsel of former President Rodrigo Duterte for allegedly distorting facts in relation to the detained leader's request for an interim release from custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro spoke on the matter with regard to the latest filing of lawyer Nicholas Kaufman to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, which provided that the Philippine government appears willing to accept a decision that would allow the former president temporary liberty while he faces charges related to his war on drugs.

Kaufman cited Castro's statements during a press conference on Wednesday, wherein she also said Vice President Sara Duterte's foreign trips appear to be bearing fruit.

In her response, however, Castro said, "Atty. Kaufman appears to have mastered the art of twisting some facts. He had done this action before when he asserted that the ICC prosecutor had no objection with former President Duterte's request for an interim release, however after the ICC prosecutor filed an opposition, it was revealed to be his false allegations."

Castro maintained that while the Philippine government had nothing to do with Duterte's trial before the ICC, including his request for an interim release, it will nevertheless respect whatever will be the international tribunal's decision.

"Again with emphasis… we want to be clear that the Marcos Jr. administration is not privy and has no hand to the former President Duterte's ongoing trial before ICC, particularly his request for interim release. However, as part of the legal process, no matter what the ICC decides, we will still respect it," she said.

The former President's team has asked the ICC for an interim release, arguing that the 80-year-old Duterte is not a flight risk and that his arrest is not necessary "to ensure the integrity of the investigations or to preclude the continued commission of crimes."

Contemplated

Kaufman said in the latest ICC filing that the possibility of an interim release is "now contemplated without objection by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, which surrendered Mr. Duterte to the International Criminal Court."

He also told The Hague-based tribunal that Duterte instructed him "to do all possible to ensure his interim release."

Vice President Sara Duterte, earlier said a third country has committed to accepting her father should the request be granted. She did not specify these countries, but stated that it does not include Japan.

The elder Duterte has been detained at the ICC in The Hague since March 12 while awaiting trial for charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the alleged abuses in his war on drugs when he was Davao City mayor and president.

The confirmation of charges, originally set for September 23, has been postponed indefinitely after his camp said that he was "not fit to stand trial." — VDV, GMA Integrated News