Duterte's defense seeks interim release from ICC

Former president Rodrigo Duterte's defense team is seeking his urgent interim release from the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Center in The Hague.

The request, filed on June 12, asks for Duterte to be temporarily released to an undisclosed country that has agreed to receive him.

Duterte's lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, argues that the former president is not a flight risk and his advanced age should also be considered.

The defense team also submitted that Duterte will not abscond, imperil proceedings, or continue to commit crimes if released.

They further argued that humanitarian factors, including Duterte's advanced age, militate in favor of interim release, and that the Prosecution has not cited recent and substantial security threats to witnesses.

The defense team also noted that the crimes imputed on Duterte happened during his presidency, and because he is no longer in the same position, he "does not command the same influence or power he is said to have abused during the period of the alleged crimes".

Vice President Sara Duterte stated that it would be Senator Imee Marcos, not her, who would bring her father home.