Attorney claims the 79-year-old former PH president ‘too ill’ from ‘debilitating’ health issues
AFTER landing in the Netherlands earlier this week, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made his first appearance before the International Criminal Court on Friday, March 14 via video call.
Duterte’s defense attorney Salvador Medialdea claimed that the 79-year-old former president was medically unfit to speak at the hearing. Medialdea called the arrest and extradition a “pure and simple kidnapping” that exacerbated Duterte’s “debilitating” health issues.
However, ICC Presiding Judge Julia Motoc said the court-appointed doctor found Duterte “fully mentally aware and fit” to stand trial.
Friday’s appearance in court was a formality wherein Duterte confirmed his identity and was read his rights after being informed of the charges held against him.
Motoc scheduled a pre-trial hearing for Sept. 23 to determine if the evidence is sufficient to advance to trial. According to legal experts, if the case advances to a trial, it can last for years.
If convicted, Duterte could be given a life imprisonment sentence.
As reported in the Asian Journal, Duterte was arrested on Tuesday, March 11 for “crimes against humanity” regarding the former president’s role in the extrajudicial anti-drug killings.
In a video posted on Facebook, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared to take accountability for the deadly “war on drugs” as he prepares to face the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague.
“Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything,” Duterte said. His remarks were his first since being put on a plane to The Hague.
Over the last few days, the Philippine government, led by President Bongbong Marcos, confirmed that “Interpol asked us to [arrest Duterte] and we have commitments.”
“We followed every single necessary procedure…We followed the legal procedure that was necessary,” Marcos said at a press conference on Tuesday evening.
“This is what the international community expects of us as the leader of a democratic country that is part of the community of nations,” Marcos said, affirming that Duterte’s arrest did not violate the Philippines’ sovereignty.
