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Makabayan Bloc Moves To Block Duterte's Release: A Push For Justice In ICC Detention
Photo credit: ICC
In a move underscoring their call for justice and accountability, the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives filed a resolution opposing the potential interim release and repatriation of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte from the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Authored by KABATAAN Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, the resolution articulates the bloc’s firm stance: Duterte should remain under ICC detention to face the charges against him—particularly, the alleged crime against humanity stemming from his controversial war on drugs.
The resolution reflects the lawmakers’ belief that Duterte's continued custody is a necessary step toward exacting justice for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings that marred his administration. “This is not just about accountability,” Rep. Co emphasized in a statement. “It is about making sure that the cries of the victims and their families do not go unanswered in the name of political expediency.”
Citing Republic Act No. 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, the resolution notes that Philippine authorities may choose not to investigate or prosecute individuals if a competent international court is already pursuing the case. In such instances, it adds, the state is authorized to cooperate with the tribunal, including through extradition or surrender.
Despite the Philippines’ formal withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019, the resolution further points to Article 127, paragraph 2 of the treaty, which clarifies that such a withdrawal does not absolve a state from cooperating with the Court in proceedings that began prior to the withdrawal. This, according to the bloc, strengthens the legitimacy of Duterte’s continued detention under ICC jurisdiction.
The resolution seeks to register the sense of the House that any attempt to bring Duterte back prematurely, especially through political or diplomatic means, undermines not only the ICC’s mandate but also the pursuit of justice itself.
For many observers and human rights advocates, the Makabayan bloc’s move is a significant step in reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to international justice mechanisms, regardless of political affiliations or changes in leadership.
As the resolution awaits further deliberation, it adds momentum to the growing international and domestic call for a
Authored by KABATAAN Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, the resolution articulates the bloc’s firm stance: Duterte should remain under ICC detention to face the charges against him—particularly, the alleged crime against humanity stemming from his controversial war on drugs.
The resolution reflects the lawmakers’ belief that Duterte's continued custody is a necessary step toward exacting justice for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings that marred his administration. “This is not just about accountability,” Rep. Co emphasized in a statement. “It is about making sure that the cries of the victims and their families do not go unanswered in the name of political expediency.”
Citing Republic Act No. 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, the resolution notes that Philippine authorities may choose not to investigate or prosecute individuals if a competent international court is already pursuing the case. In such instances, it adds, the state is authorized to cooperate with the tribunal, including through extradition or surrender.
Despite the Philippines’ formal withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019, the resolution further points to Article 127, paragraph 2 of the treaty, which clarifies that such a withdrawal does not absolve a state from cooperating with the Court in proceedings that began prior to the withdrawal. This, according to the bloc, strengthens the legitimacy of Duterte’s continued detention under ICC jurisdiction.
The resolution seeks to register the sense of the House that any attempt to bring Duterte back prematurely, especially through political or diplomatic means, undermines not only the ICC’s mandate but also the pursuit of justice itself.
For many observers and human rights advocates, the Makabayan bloc’s move is a significant step in reaffirming the Philippines’ commitment to international justice mechanisms, regardless of political affiliations or changes in leadership.
As the resolution awaits further deliberation, it adds momentum to the growing international and domestic call for a
Jul 1, 2025
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