Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano seeks house arrest for FPRRD at the Philippine Embassy at The Hauge

• Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to advocate for former President Rodrigo Duterte's interim release from ICC custody and placement under house arrest at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague

• The proposal is based on humanitarian grounds, emphasizing Duterte's age (80) and reported deteriorating health, aiming for him to spend his "twilight years with dignity" without compromising the ongoing trial

• Former President Duterte has been in ICC custody for approximately four months, following his March 11, 2025 arrest for alleged crimes against humanity, with his confirmation of charges hearing provisionally scheduled for September 23, 2025

• The proposed house arrest at an embassy presents significant legal and diplomatic complexities, requiring a specific agreement with the ICC to balance humane treatment with the court's mandate for justice and accountability

A significant legislative move is now underway in the Philippine Senate, advocating for a potential change in the detention conditions of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who remains in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.

On Thursday, July 10, 2025, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to formally appeal to the ICC for Duterte's interim release, specifically proposing a form of house arrest.

The resolution put forth by Senator Cayetano calls for an arrangement where the 80-year-old former chief executive could be placed under house arrest, or a comparable suitable measure, within the diplomatic premises of the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.

Cayetano underscored the humanitarian considerations underpinning this proposal, citing Duterte's advanced age and reported deteriorating health.

He articulated that such an arrangement would enable Duterte to "spend his twilight years with dignity" while simultaneously ensuring full adherence to the ICC's conditions and without jeopardizing the ongoing judicial proceedings.

Former President Duterte has been under ICC custody for approximately four months, following his arrest by Interpol on March 11, 2025.

His apprehension occurred upon his return from Hong Kong, and he was subsequently transferred to The Hague pursuant to an ICC arrest warrant.

The warrant, issued by ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on March 7, 2025, details charges of alleged crimes against humanity, specifically murder, torture, and rap3, reportedly committed between November 2011 and March 2019.

These charges primarily stem from the context of his administration's controversial "war on drug5."

Duterte made his initial appearance before the Court on March 14, 2025. The crucial confirmation of charges hearing, where judges will assess the sufficiency of evidence to proceed to a full trial, has been provisionally scheduled to commence on September 23, 2025.

Senator Cayetano's current resolution is consistent with his earlier concerns regarding Duterte's legal situation.

In March 2025, he had publicly expressed "disbelief" over the speed and manner of the former president's transfer to The Hague, arguing that all domestic legal avenues should have been exhausted first.

He also sought guidance from the Philippine Supreme Court on how the nation should navigate the ICC's jurisdiction, particularly given the Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute, which took effect in March 2019.

Despite the withdrawal, the ICC maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a State Party.

The concept of house arrest for an ICC detainee, particularly within an embassy, presents complex legal and diplomatic considerations.

While international humanitarian law generally promotes humane treatment for all individuals under detention, the ICC's mandate to ensure justice and accountability is paramount.

An arrangement such as the one proposed would necessitate a detailed agreement between the ICC and the Philippine government, addressing issues of oversight, security, and compliance with court orders within diplomatic boundaries.

While the ICC has procedures for interim release under strict conditions, a transfer of custody to an embassy is a less common precedent and would require careful negotiation.

The Senate resolution represents an official appeal for advocacy from the Philippine government to the international tribunal.

Its potential success will hinge on the ICC's assessment of the presented humanitarian grounds, the feasibility of the proposed arrangement, and the broader legal and political implications of such a precedent.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a woman's body was found in a creek under Bocobo Bridge in Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City on Tuesday afternoon, July 8, 2025. According to barangay tanod Renaldo Sagun, the victim had two stab wounds in the chest, one on the side, and a puncture wound on the right side of her forehead. Authorities estimate the woman to be around 30 years old, but her identity remains unknown as of now. Police are coordinating with nearby barangays to help identify the victim, while the Antipolo Police continue their investigation into the circumstances of her death.

Still in other news, Lucy "Nanay Lucy" Gonzaga, a 71-year-old from Sagay City, Negros Occidental, has achieved her Bachelor of Science in Fisheries degree in June 2025, demonstrating remarkable perseverance. Nanay Lucy's educational journey, which began with her return to studies at age 57, was partly funded by her late husband's P2,500 monthly pension after she completed senior high school in 2019. Post-graduation, Nanay Lucy expressed a desire to work at Sagay City Hall, aiming to utilize her fisheries knowledge for the benefit of her local community. Her story stands as an inspiring example of determination and hope, challenging conventional notions about age and the pursuit of academic and personal dreams.

Source: KAMI.com.gh