Sharing my live broadcast media interview with Russia Today (RT) late last night.
The interview focused on former President Rodrigo Duterte and the unfolding events in the Philippines, which have garnered significant media attention both domestically and internationally. Duterte has been arrested and transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to the anti-drug campaign during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. Duterte was apprehended in Manila on March 11, 2025, upon returning from Hong Kong from a family vacation. His arrest followed a 12-hour standoff at the Manila Villamor air base. He was subsequently transported to The Hague, arriving at Rotterdam Airport on March 12, 2025.
Note that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Philippines after its withdrawal from the Rome Statute. Under Article 127, paragraph 1, of the Rome Statute, a State may withdraw from the Statute by notification in writing to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which will take effect one year after the date of notification. The Philippines officially initiated the process of withdrawal on March 17, 2018, and the withdrawal took effect on March 17, 2019, making the withdrawal legal and effective.
According to Article 127, paragraph 2, of the Rome Statute, even if a State withdraws from the Statute, its withdrawal does not exempt it from legal obligations undertaken during the State’s time as a State party or from investigative proceedings that have been initiated. However, the withdrawing State is not obliged to assist in cases initiated or advanced by the ICC after withdrawal, including the obligation to cooperate in connection with the submission of the accused (Article 86). This means that the Philippines no longer has a legal obligation to assist in the extradition of Duterte or other defendants after withdrawal.
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Source: RT
