The International Criminal Court has rejected the request of former President Rodrigo Duterte's defense counsel to give interim release to the former leader facing charges of crimes against humanity for murder and attempted murder before the tribunal.

In a 23-page decision on the defense counsel's request for interim release, all three magistrates of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 found that Duterte’s detention continued "to remain necessary under article 60(2) of the Statute based on each of the requirements set by article 58(1) of the Statute."

Included in the decision was Duterte's contention against his arrest and detention, his family's demands that he should be brought back to the Philippines, and his daughter's remarks on breaking the former President out of ICC detention.

"With regard to the need to ensure Mr. Duterte’s presence at trial, the Chamber recalls that Mr Duterte has, from his initial appearance, contested his arrest and detention, qualifying it as a pure and simple kidnapping," the tribunal said.

"In addition, his family not only physically resisted, but also publicly voiced criticism regarding his arrest and detention, and demanded that he should be brought back to the Philippines," it added.

"More specifically, the Chamber notes that, on 19 July 2025 Mr. Duterte’s daughter mentioned in public speeches the idea of breaking Mr Duterte out of the ICC Detention Centre, and attempted to delegitimise the Court’s proceedings against Mr Duterte, citing collusion between the Court and the government of the Philippines as well as the use of ‘fake witnesses’" the ICC said.

The chamber also cited that Duterte’s daughter allegedly indicated on August 19, 2025, that Mr. Duterte had told her he wished to return to Davao City, should he be granted interim release, in contradiction with the Defence’s assertion that he would remain in the state to which he would be released.

"The foregoing illustrates Mr Duterte’s rejection of the proceedings against him before the Court, and the will of his close family to help him elude detention and prosecution," the ICC said.

(With reports from Joahna Lei Casilao, GMA Integrated News)