International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza stated today that the measures proposed by defense lawyers were insufficient to mitigate potential risks associated with granting bail to former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte.

The court also dismissed the defense's argument that Duterte should be released for "humanitarian reasons". His lawyers had previously requested clemency, citing the 80-year-old former president's poor health.

The lawyers stated Duterte was "frail and debilitated", adding that detaining him throughout the trial would be cruel. According to defense filings, Duterte's cognitive abilities have declined to the extent that he cannot assist his lawyers. He was not present at today's hearing.

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in Manila in October 2024. *AFP*

Duterte, who served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was arrested in early March before being transferred to the ICC's detention center in Scheveningen, near The Hague, where the court is headquartered.

He currently faces three charges of crimes against humanity. One charge relates to 19 killings during the 2013-2016 period, when Duterte was mayor of Davao. The second charge involves 14 killings of alleged drug lords in 2016-2017, during his presidency. The final charge concerns 43 killings of suspected low-level drug users or dealers.

A spokesperson for President Ferdinand Marcos stated that the Philippine government "respects" the court's decision. Meanwhile, human rights activists welcomed the ICC's latest move.

During his presidency, Duterte launched a war on drugs, allowing police to shoot and kill drug suspects on the spot without trial. Police reported the campaign resulted in over 6,000 deaths, but human rights groups estimate the actual number to be tens of thousands.

By Thanh Tam (AFP, NBC News)