Malacañang dismisses former President Rodrigo Duterte's claim that he was forcibly taken by the Philippine government, explaining his absence at upcoming International Criminal Court hearings.
Malacañang Palace on Thursday firmly rejected former President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that he was ‘kidnapped’ by the Philippine government, which he cited as his reason for not attending the International Criminal Court (ICC) hearings scheduled for next week. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified in an interview that the government respects the ongoing ICC proceedings and has complied with the Philippines Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law (Republic Act 9851), which mandates deference to international tribunals once a case is under investigation there. Castro emphasized that complaints against Duterte were filed by Filipino citizens who felt they could not achieve justice domestically at that time. Duterte, in a notification dated February 17, stated his refusal to recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over him and described himself as a Filipino citizen who was forcibly taken to The Hague, Netherlands, allegedly with the coordination of the current Philippine administration. Additionally, Castro dismissed insinuations that Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2028 presidential bid could influence her father’s ICC case, suggesting instead that this may be used to support claims that the prosecution is politically motivated. The Palace maintains that Duterte’s absence does not equate to a case of kidnapping and asserts that the government adheres to legal frameworks concerning international criminal proceedings.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/977094/palace-dismisses-duterte-s-kidnapping-claim-for-icc-hearing-absence/story/