ICC chamber orders continued detention of Rodrigo Duterte

Former President Rodrigo Duterte will continue to be detained in The Hague pending the start of his trial for alleged crimes against humanity, the International Criminal Court (ICC) said Friday.

In its decision, the ICC Trial Chamber III said the defense's and the ICC Registry's observations on Duterte's health condition "do not present information that constitute new facts or a change in circumstances in comparison to the information" submitted by the Court-appointed medical experts.

It also cited Duterte's refusal to recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC over him.

"Such statement demonstrates at its lowest that the accused will not comply with any orders that might be made in respect of a release from custody," the Court said.

"Taken together with his access to vast resources and contacts, including his family and supporters in the Philippines who may assist him in evading justice, the Chamber finds that, notwithstanding the defense's submissions regarding the accused’s health condition, there is a real and substantial risk that the accused could nonetheless abscond or obstruct justice either on his own or through his associates," it added.

"Consequently, the Chamber finds that the accused’s physical condition and cognitive capacities referred to by the defense do not constitute factors which outweigh the risks outlined above."

Earlier, the ICC Registry said that the 81-year-old Duterte is under cell monitoring due to his status as an elderly detained person with increased fall risk because of age and several chronic physical ailments.

Duterte allowed to skip status conference

Meanwhile, the Court granted the defense's request for Duterte to skip the first status conference scheduled for May 27.

The defense was given until Monday, May 25, to submit Duterte's signed written request.

Among the topics to be discussed by the parties during the conference are the commencement date of the trial and deadlines leading up to trial, anticipated evidence, agreed facts, and the languages to be used.

"The status conference will be public. However, in order to avoid disclosure of sensitive information regarding witness protection and security issues, the Chamber may order the use of private sessions," the ICC Trial Chamber III said.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on April 23 confirmed the charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte in connection with the killings in his war on drugs when he was mayor of Davao City and president.

The decision to confirm the charges came a day after the ICC Appeals Chamber denied Duterte's appeal of the Court's jurisdiction over his case. —VBL, GMA News