Malacañang stated on Tuesday that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is not oblivious to the realities surrounding the deadly anti-narcotics campaign initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Palace’s remarks came in response to Duterte’s defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, who intends to submit the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’ report regarding Duterte’s arrest, which he claims was the result of “political maneuvering designed to politically cripple his family.”
Palace Press Officer Claire emphasized that submitting the Senate report on Duterte’s arrest may not be beneficial.
“Baka maging negatibo pa po sa kanila (It might even be negative for them),” she stated during a Palace press briefing.
She further noted, “Kung makikita po siguro ang pag-iimbestiga doon at makikita kung papaano ito ginawa, siguro hindi naman po bulag ang ICC judges para makita kung ano ba talaga iyong maaaring naging katotohanan dito (If they see the investigation and how it was done, maybe the ICC judges would not be blind to see what the truth might be here).”
Lawyer Castro advised Duterte’s legal team to focus on defending the former president rather than pursuing the Senate report. She suggested that Kaufman should conduct better research to avoid confusion, especially since Duterte had previously admitted to intentions of “doubling the extrajudicial killings.”
“For the fees he has allegedly been demanding from his client, former president Rodrigo Duterte, he should do better than that,” Castro remarked. “He should concentrate on his defenses. He should concentrate on the allegations and admissions of the former President regarding his involvement in killings related to the war on drugs.”
Castro expressed confidence that the ICC would adequately address Duterte’s situation, following claims from his wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, that he is in poor health, described as “skin and bones.”
She advised Duterte to prioritize his health, suggesting that he should “exercise.”
“Saka mas maganda po talaga na natitingnan naman po ang kaniyang kalusugan doon mismo sa The Hague so hindi naman po pababayaan ang dating Pangulo doon (It’s really good that his health is being monitored right there in The Hague. The former president won’t be neglected there),” Castro added.
Duterte is currently in the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, facing allegations of crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s war on drugs from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019.