THE HAGUE/MANILA – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request for an interim release, citing flight risks in its order for his “continued detention.”

There was no immediate reaction from the Duterte camp following the release of the decision.

Duterte remains detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity involving extrajudicial killings during his war on drugs when he was Davao City mayor and president.

Duterte’s camp first requested his interim release to an undisclosed country in June, arguing that the former president is not a flight risk. It also cited humanitarian considerations for the interim release request, saying that Duterte is already 80 years old.

In a court document dated Oct. 10, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled that Duterte “continues to pose a flight risk” and that his detention remains necessary to ensure his presence during pre-trial proceedings and a possible trial.

The chamber pointed to the Duterte family’s public rejection of his arrest, their calls for his immediate return to the Philippines, and his reported wish to go back to Davao City if released – all of which, it said, demonstrate his rejection of the proceedings and his family’s willingness to help him evade detention and prosecution.

In its 23-page decision, the chamber cited an online article quoting Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly indicating that the former chief executive wishes to return to Davao City, “in contradiction with the Defense’s assertion that he would remain in the state he would be released to.”

“Moreover, given Mr. Duterte’s position as former President of the Philippines, he appears to have the necessary political contacts, as well as to benefit from a network of support within that country, including his daughter, who currently holds the office of Vice-President of the Philippines, that may help him abscond,” read the court document, signed by Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, and Judges Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and María del Socorro Flores Liera.

The chamber also noted Duterte’s continued popularity, as evidenced by his election as Davao City mayor in May 2025.

It warned that returning to Davao City could enable him “to commit the crimes for which his arrest and surrender were initially sought.”

“In conclusion, the Chamber finds that, at present, the detention of Mr. Duterte is required so as to ensure his appearance in these proceedings, that he does not obstruct or endanger the investigation or the Court’s proceedings, and to prevent the commission of related crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court,” it said.

Duterte faces multiple charges comprising several murders and attempted murders as crimes against humanity over his campaign against illegal drugs while he was the mayor of Davao City and the Philippine president.