Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the United Nations is unlikely to act on a submission made by a Japanese non-government organization questioning the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court.
The statement came after the International Career Support Association (ICSA) submitted a written statement before the United Nations Human Rights Council alleging that Duterte’s transfer to The Hague was politically motivated and violated international law.
The document, circulated under Agenda Item 3 of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, urged the UN body to call for Duterte’s provisional release pending trial and to investigate alleged violations tied to his arrest and detention.
Among the claims raised by the group were allegations of “political instrumentalization” of the ICC, supposed violations of the Rome Statute, and accusations that the Marcos administration used the ICC process as part of a domestic political purge.
The submission also referenced the reported attempt to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa inside the Senate earlier this month, calling it part of a broader political campaign against Duterte allies.
In response, the DFA dismissed the claims as “baseless” and said the circulation of such submissions is standard UN procedure.
“The United Nations routinely receives such statements and circulates these as a matter of procedure, without comments or any other actions,” the DFA said in a statement.
“On the statement itself, we anticipate that no action will be taken on it by the Human Rights Council or the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,” it added.
The DFA noted that this was not the first time the ICSA brought similar claims before the United Nations.
“This is not the first time the ICSA has brought these baseless claims before the United Nations. None of its previous actions have borne any fruit,” the DFA said.
The department also stressed that previous actions and statements by UN bodies and member-states have instead focused on accountability over alleged extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
“What the records will show are the UN and its member states calling for accountability,” the DFA said.
ICSA holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, allowing it to participate in discussions and submit written statements before UN bodies.
Duterte remains detained at the ICC detention facility in The Hague after judges confirmed charges of crimes against humanity tied to killings linked to his anti-drug campaign and alleged Davao Death Squad operations.
