Senator Allan Peter Cayetano has filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to formally communicate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to request the interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte, should a warrant or detention be imposed. He proposed placing Duterte under house arrest at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague while awaiting proceedings related to the ICC’s investigation into alleged crimes during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Cayetano cited humanitarian grounds, pointing to Duterte’s age and declining health. The former president, who turns 80 in March 2025, has reportedly experienced significant weight loss in recent months. According to the senator, this situation has caused concern within the Duterte family, who believe the former leader should be allowed to spend time with loved ones during his later years.
“This is not about immunity; this is about humanity,” Cayetano said. He argued that denying Duterte the chance to be with his family would be unjust, and called on both local and international authorities to consider the dignity and welfare of elderly detainees. He added that Duterte’s actions as president were motivated by national interest—not personal gain.
In a statement conveyed through Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president maintained that he is not a criminal. “I am not here because I stole or killed for personal gain. I did what I believed was right for my country,” Duterte said, defending his record during his term.
While the ICC has authorized a full investigation into the alleged abuses linked to Duterte’s war on drugs, no arrest warrant has been made public as of this writing. Cayetano’s proposal has sparked renewed debate on justice, accountability, and the humane treatment of aging leaders facing international legal scrutiny. Cali Demi
