Australia is one of the countries being considered for the temporary release of former President Rodrigo Duterte while he is still in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. According to Vice President Sara Duterte, their lawyers are looking at Australia as a possible place where her father could temporarily reside.
In an interview in Melbourne on Sunday, Sara Duterte said she did not visit for the release issue. “This is not about the temporary release, this is not the reason for my visit,” she clarified.
He held a rally in Australia with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in support of his father. He admitted that he sent a message to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, but it did not lead to a meeting. “I just sent a message that I was here, maybe we could meet for a while. But it is not official,” he said.
According to Duterte's lawyers, one country has expressed its willingness to accept him if the ICC allows his provisional release. Also involved in the issue is Harry Roque, the President's former spokesperson, who is facing a human trafficking case. He reportedly sought legal advice from Dutch lawyers and invited Sara to an online consultation.
Sara said she also could not properly discuss the issue of temporary release with her father because there might be a hearing from the ICC.
