MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has assured that former President Rodrigo Duterte will receive legal assistance from the government if necessary, as he faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his war on illegal drugs.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro was asked whether the administration would extend any help to Duterte.
“Papaanong tulong po aasahan kung mayroon naman siyang sariling abodago?” she remarked, questioning the necessity of government intervention since Duterte already has his own legal team.
(“What kind of help can be expected if he already has his own lawyer?”)
Legal Basis for Government Assistance
Despite this, Castro pointed out that Republic Act (RA) 9851 provides legal grounds for the Philippine government to extend aid in Duterte’s case.
“Mayroon naman po tayong batas – ang RA [Republic Act 9851] – kung saan sinasabi po na kahit po ang dating Pangulong Duterte ay masasabi pong dapat na usigin, or kailangang magkaroon ng hearing sa International Criminal Court [ICC],” she explained.
(“But anyway, we have a law – RA 9851 – which states that even former President Duterte can be prosecuted or should undergo a hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC).”)
She further reassured the public that the government would not abandon Duterte, particularly in ensuring his legal rights are upheld.
“Hindi naman din po pababayaan ng ating gubyerno, lalung lalo na po kung ito ay tungkol sa kanyang karapatan,” Castro emphasized.
(“However, our government will not abandon him, especially when it comes to his rights.”)
However, Castro mentioned that she has yet to receive any official request from Duterte’s camp seeking assistance from Malacañang.
Duterte’s Departure for ICC Proceedings
On Tuesday evening, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that Duterte had departed for The Hague, Netherlands, to face the charges before the ICC.
“The plane carrying former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte took off at 11:03 p.m. this evening and exited Philippine airspace,” Marcos stated in his address.
The Drug War and ICC Investigation
Duterte’s controversial drug war has been under intense scrutiny, with official government data estimating that at least 6,000 lives were lost during the campaign. However, human rights organizations claim the death toll could be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019, citing allegations of extrajudicial killings.
The ICC’s investigation into Duterte’s anti-drug campaign continues to divide opinions, with some officials backing the former president while international watchdogs demand accountability.
