Duterte allies’ rhetoric may be hurting his interim release bid - Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang on Monday acknowledged that public remarks and overseas activities by allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte may be undermining efforts for his potential interim release from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Speaking to NewsWatch Plus’ The NewsMaker, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace has no official position regarding Duterte’s interim release, but noted that repeated public statements and protest actions may not be helping his cause.

“Sa tingin ko lang, oo (In my view, yes),” Castro said when asked if pro-Duterte rallies and public comments could be negatively affecting the bid for his temporary liberty.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte is detained under the jurisdiction of the ICC in The Hague, where he faces investigation related to alleged crimes against humanity for murder during his administration’s bloody war on drugs.

Victims' families and human rights groups have submitted petitions opposing his interim release, citing fears of retaliation and threats to witnesses.

In recent days, reports emerged that both Australia and Belgium declined to serve as host countries should Duterte be granted interim release. The ICC typically requires that a released detainee be hosted by a cooperating state.

“Actually, kung talagang pagbibigyan at hindi sila tatanggihan, wala naman siguro magiging komento ang Palasyo d’yan. Walang pagtutol, walang pagsang-ayon,” Castro said when asked about the reported refusals of the Australian and Belgian government.

[Translation: If the release is granted and he is accepted somewhere, the Palace likely won’t have any comment on that. No opposition, no endorsement]

However, she subtly questioned denials from Vice President Sara Duterte, who claimed they never formally sought help from foreign governments. Castro noted that it would be unusual for a government like Australia's to proactively issue a rejection without any prior request.

“Hindi naman siguro mag-e-email basta-basta ang Australian government para sabihing hindi namin tatanggapin... kung walang hiniling,” she said.

[Translation: The Australian government wouldn’t send an email refusing to host Duterte if no request was made.]

Castro added that Duterte’s allies, including family members, repeatedly frame his ICC detention as “kidnapping” and label the court’s jurisdiction as illegitimate. She believes these inflammatory narratives may be fueling concerns from both the ICC and potential host nations.

“Mas nakaka-create sila ng fear sa ibang tao... paano kung mabigyan ng temporary liberty, kakayanin ba ng ibang bansa?” she said.

[Translation: It creates more fear… If he’s granted temporary liberty, can another country handle the implications?]

These statements, Castro said, have strengthened the ICC's arguments that releasing Duterte could pose a continuing threat.

Victims’ families and rights groups maintain that Duterte’s release would endanger witnesses, a view Castro said should not be dismissed.

“Kung ‘yun ang nararamdaman ng mga testigo... malamang meron itong pinaghuhugutan,” she said.

[Translation: If that’s how the witnesses feel, it likely comes from real experience.]