Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has lashed out at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for rejecting the request to release his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, calling the ruling nothing more than a “political theater.”
In a strongly worded Facebook post Friday night, Pulong expressed outrage over the decision and vowed to “fight this by the book.”
“This decision is a gross and disgraceful miscarriage of justice. It is not law — it is a political theater,” he wrote.
The younger Duterte defended his 80-year-old father, who remains detained at The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
“My father, an 80-year-old man, no longer in power, has been politically persecuted in his own country since stepping down,” Pulong said.
“He’s not a flight risk. He’s loved by his people. All he wants is to stay in his homeland for as long as his Creator allows.”
ICC: Detention Still Necessary
In its 23-page ruling dated September 26, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I said Duterte’s detention “remains necessary” under the court’s statute.
The decision came despite his defense team’s insistence that he should be released due to old age and health concerns.
The ruling also mentioned statements made by Vice President Sara Duterte, who publicly questioned the ICC’s legitimacy and hinted at rescuing her father from detention — remarks the ICC noted as an attempt to “delegitimise” the court’s proceedings.
Pulong’s Fury: “You Will Pay for This”
The congressman didn’t mince words, accusing the CIA and unnamed individuals of conspiring in what he described as his father’s “kidnapping.”
“To all kidnappers of my father — you will pay for this crime,” he declared.
“The CIA’s involvement will not silence him. You may have just made him a martyr. His people’s anger will grow, and so will their love for him.”
While Pulong said they would appeal the ruling, Duterte’s lead defense counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, confirmed that an appeal had already been filed a week earlier.
“The decision to dismiss State guarantees for a debilitated and cognitively-impaired 80-year-old man is erroneous,” Kaufman said.
The Charges
The ICC Prosecutor has charged Duterte with murder and frustrated murder in connection with 49 incidents during his anti-drug campaign — both as mayor of Davao City and President of the Philippines.
Authorities arrested him in Manila last March 11, following a warrant from the ICC. He is now detained at Scheveningen Prison in The Hague.
While the government records more than 6,000 deaths in police operations, human rights groups claim the actual number could reach 30,000, including unreported killings.
The former president denies all allegations.
Voices from the Victims
On the other side, Atty. Kristina Conti, Assistant to Counsel for victims, welcomed the ICC’s decision, saying it proves that justice is moving — even if slowly.
“The judges clearly listened to everyone, especially the victims,” Conti said.
“This shows trust, respect, and a fair consideration of all sides.”
She added that Duterte’s detention should embolden victims and witnesses to come forward.
“The wheels of justice turn slow, but they grind exceedingly fine,” she said.
“For many, this is the only ray of hope against impunity in the Philippines.”
Despite the emotional divide, one thing is clear — the fight is far from over.
For the Dutertes, it’s a battle for justice and legacy.
For the victims, it’s a long-awaited reckoning.
