Netherlands sends response to ICC about Duterte interim release bid

The Netherlands has sent a reply regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte's bid for interim release upon the invitation of The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC).

In its submission to the Pre-Trial Chamber I, the ICC's Registry said it "received a communication from the Dutch authorities [redacted] on July 2." 

This was contained in the public redacted version of the Registry's Report on consultations with States, pursuant to an ICC order. The report was dated July 3. 

According to the Registry, Duterte's defense team filed a request for interim release in accordance with Article 60(2) of the Rome Statute. 

On June 16, the defense filed a request for observations from the host state, requesting the Chamber to seek observations from the Kingdom of Netherlands. 

The Chamber then issued an order inviting the Netherlands to submit any observations that it may consider relevant to the adjudication of the interim release request. The same invitation was also sent to another party, the identity of which was redacted in the published document.

The Registry said that on June 20, it transmitted the Chamber's order inviting the Netherlands to submit any observations that it considers relevant.

The ICC Prosecutor has charged the former president with murder and frustrated murder over 49 incidents in his war on drugs when he was mayor of Davao City and as President of the Philippines.

His confirmation of charges hearing, initially scheduled on September 23, has been postponed by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I. — VDV, GMA Integrated News