Duterte extradition impossible; Philippines left ICC

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that former President Rodrigo Duterte could have faced an extradition process if he had not withdrawn the Philippines' membership from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa questioned why Duterte was surrendered to the ICC when Interpol's Red Notice only indicated extradition, arguing it would be more appropriate to wait for the court to initiate extradition proceedings.

Remulla explained that without a treaty between the Philippines and the ICC, an extradition process is impossible since the country withdrew its membership from the ICC, citing Republic Act 9851 as applicable law.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte was flown to The Hague and placed in detention on March 13 after his arrest, facing charges related to killings during his administration's war on drugs via video link.

Meanwhile, former associate justice Adolfo Azcuna Jr. said it remains debatable whether the surrender of Duterte without a local court hearing constitutes an abuse of process under international law.