ICC judges urged: Keep Duterte in detentionThe International Criminal Court (ICC) has convened the second day for the confirmation of charges hearing for former president Rodrigo Duterte on February 24, 2026. Joel Butuyan, one of the two Filipino lawyers appointed as common legal representative of the victims, also urged the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to keep Duterte in detention. “If Mr. Duterte cannot even hide his contempt for this honorable court while he is already under detention, imagine how Mr. Duterte will use this contempt for the court if he is released,” he said. Duterte has telegraphed his intention to escape from this honorable court’s jurisdiction if he is released from detention. Consequently, your honors, he remains a flight risk if he is released from detention,” he added.
