Families of war on drugs victims welcome ICC decision to reject Duterte appeal

Families of victims of killings under former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber to reject his appeal and uphold the Pre-Trial Chamber's earlier ruling to deny his request for interim release.

According to Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras," the loved ones of the victims expected that the decision would go their way, but they remained wary until the appeal's chamber delivered its verdict on Duterte's bid for interim release.

The families cheered and clapped when the chamber rejected the appeal.

"Makakamtan na talaga niya ang tunay na katarungan na hindi siya nakalabas at hindi napayagan," Rubilyn Litao said.

Told that it was only a decision on the interim release and not on the charges of crimes against humanity Duterte is facing for the killings, Litao said, "At least, may pag-asa na kami."

In a statement, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Malacañang respected the ruling.

"The International Criminal Court has already made its decision, and the Palace respects it," she said.

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), counsel for victims of the “war on drugs”, welcomed the decision of the appeals chamber.

It said the ruling denying Duterte’s plea for interim release had "strong merit, factual and legal."

"The court noted that not only is there basis for his continued detention and that he is a flight risk; but also that the defense failed to sufficiently argue release on humanitarian grounds," the lawyers' group said.

"Duterte in detention is crucial for victims and witnesses to feel safe coming forward. By large, it is an assurance that he cannot simply intimidate persons, interfere with the evidence, or disrupt proceedings," it added.

Judges of the Appeals Chamber ruled unanimously, rejecting all the grounds Duterte's counsel related to the appeal. With this, Duterte will continue to be detailed in The Hague, Netherlands.

"Finally, the Appeals Chamber notes that the Pre-Trial Chamber reached its conclusions in relation to the risks enumerated in Article 58(1)(b) of the Statute on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the information before it," the chamber said in a decision read by Judge Luz del Carmen Ibañez Carranza.

"In the present case, having rejected the three grounds of appeal presented by the defense in the appeal brief, the Appeals Chamber unanimously confirms the impugned decision," it added.

The NUPL said Duterte's detention is providential for him as well, given the capacity and earnestness of the ICC and the host country, the Netherlands, to provide proper medical care if such is necessary.

"Ultimately, this is key for proceeding with the case efficiently. With this final decision on his request for interim release, parties can now focus on two other issues on hand – the issue of jurisdiction, raised with the Appeals Chamber; and the issue of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial, pending with the Pre-Trial Chamber," it added. –NB, GMA Integrated News