Australia Declines to Host Duterte During ICC Interim Release Bid
By Inday Marisol | June 27, 2025
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MANILA, Philippines — The Australian government has declined to host former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during his petition for interim release from the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to sources familiar with the matter.
Duterte’s legal team filed a request for provisional release on June 12, proposing that he be temporarily freed and hosted by a third country while his case proceeds in The Hague. However, Australia has ruled out accepting Duterte during this period and is not considering the request, Philstar.com learned.
The request remains under ICC deliberation, but Australia has indicated that any such petition is a matter solely within the ICC’s jurisdiction under the Rome Statute, to which both Australia and the Philippines are signatories.
VP Sara Mentions Australia as a Possible Host
In a June 22 media interview in Melbourne, Vice President Sara Duterte revealed that Australia was included in the list of countries her father’s legal team had considered for temporary hosting.
“One of two countries named in the petition has committed to helping or receiving and accepting [Duterte],” VP Sara said, though she did not specify which country.
Despite this, the ICC prosecution opposed Duterte’s motion, noting that the unnamed proposed host nation lacked “an extensive history of cooperation” with the ICC and may not be equipped to enforce the conditions of his release.
Attempt to Meet With Australia’s Foreign Minister
VP Sara Duterte also shared that she tried to arrange a brief, informal meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during her visit. She said she messaged Wong to say she was in Melbourne and simply wanted to “say hello.”
However, Foreign Minister Wong was unavailable, reportedly due to prior commitments, sources told Philstar.com.
Background on ICC Case
Rodrigo Duterte faces investigation before the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s war on drugs, which led to thousands of reported extrajudicial killings. His petition for interim release is part of a broader legal strategy as proceedings continue in The Hague.
Sources
- Philstar.com
- ICC Filing Dated June 12, 2025
- Interview footage via press pool, June 22, Melbourne
Maria Sollen Castor, known as “Inday Marisol,” is a skilled and experienced content writer. Renowned for her engaging and authentic style, she crafts compelling content that connects with readers and resonates across platforms.