Duterte refuses to recognize ICC jurisdiction, to skip confirmation of charges hearings

Former President Rodrigo Duterte has formally waived his right to attend the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) hearings on the confirmation of charges against him next week in connection with his war on illegal drugs.

In a signed notification dated February 17, the 80-year-old Duterte said he will not attend the hearings from February 23 to 27 for several reasons – but mainly because he does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over him.

The notification was submitted to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on Wednesday, February 18. A copy of the notification was furnished to GMA Integrated News by Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman.

“I do not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over my person. I am a Filipino citizen forcibly pushed into a jet and renditioned to The Hague in the Netherlands in flagrant contravention of my country’s Constitution and of national sovereignty. My kidnapping was facilitated by the office of the incumbent President of the Philippines with a plane specially chartered for this purpose,” he said.

He also slammed the claim that he oversaw “a policy of extra-judicial killings” as an “outrageous lie.”

“These claims have been peddled by my political opponents for many years and, as my nation knows, they are based on the word of individuals whose credibility has been thoroughly discredited,” Duterte said.

He added that he does not “wish to attend legal proceedings that I will forget within minutes,” citing the frailty of his condition and conceding that he could die in detention.

“I am old, tired and frail. I wish for this Court to respect my peace inside the cell it has placed me. I have accepted the fact that I could die in prison. But those that desire this fate for me should know that my heart and soul will always remain in the Philippines,” the former President said.

He maintained that he is proud of his legacy and of his service to Filipinos around the world.

“Let no one doubt my love for and loyalty to the Filipino nation. Kaninyo, ako, magpabiling suluguon (To you, I will remain a servant),” Duterte said. 

Earlier, Kaufman said his client will not take part via video conference at his confirmation of charges hearings next week. 

Over the weekend, the ICC released the Document Containing the Charges (DCC) submitted by the prosecution that named the former President’s co-perpetrators in the war against illegal drugs, as well as the charges against him to be read in next week’s hearings.

Among those named were Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, two of Duterte’s former subordinates and allies in the upper chamber. — JMA, GMA Integrated News