The International Criminal Court has denied former president Rodrigo Duterte's request for interim release, sparking outrage from his grandson and supporters. Duterte remains detained in The Hague facing crimes against humanity charges. The decision was announced on November 28, 2025.
On Friday, November 28, 2025, the International Criminal Court's appeals chamber in The Hague, Netherlands, unanimously rejected three grounds presented by former president Rodrigo Duterte's defense for his interim release. The 80-year-old Duterte remains detained at the Scheveningen detention center while facing crimes against humanity charges related to his war on drugs. The decision upholds the pre-trial chamber's earlier ruling, stating that the defense failed to prove errors in the initial denial.
Omar Duterte, the former president's grandson and Davao City 2nd District Representative, spoke outside the ICC after the hearing. 'It’s borderline inhumane — keeping an 80-year-old here away from his family, away from the land he called home,' he said. He added that he did not expect the decision and had hoped for humanitarian consideration, but was puzzled by concerns over Duterte's flight risk and influence. 'I was a bit bewildered why the appeals chamber saw that he’s a flight risk, he’s a risk to the people in the Philippines, when half the time inside he doesn’t even know why he’s there,' Omar stated. The family plans to visit Duterte for Christmas, following the hearing that occurred just before their trip to the detention center.
The ICC noted that while humanitarian grounds were considered, they were insufficient due to Duterte's 'network of support' that could impact the investigation. Emotional supporters, such as Janet Suliman, a 25-year Netherlands resident, said, 'I had said that there should be no reason for his interim release to not be granted, because international human rights are [observed] here in Holland. So if they deny it, where are the human rights? Especially PRRD is old now, going to 81 years old.' Vlogger 'Lucky Charm' expressed that while she respects European governments, she could not 'accept directly' the decision. Suliman volunteered to prepare food for the community outside the ICC after the hearing.
Meanwhile, the Duterte Panagutin Europe Network welcomed the ruling. Convenor Icai Enriquez told Rappler, 'We are glad that they stayed with this decision because we don’t think that it is fair to the victims…. if he was given an opportunity to be let out.' She expressed doubt over health arguments that delayed the confirmation of charges hearing from September but noted Duterte's ability to appoint lawyer Nicholas Kaufman. 'He’s afforded due process, something that all his victims... was not afforded,' Enriquez said, warning that a temporary release could revive the culture of impunity. The group plans to continue information drives across Europe.