By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Former Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan is set to file a petition before the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking the return of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD) to the Philippines.
The former president was allegedly kidnapped and brought to The Hague, Netherlands on March 11, 2025 by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by the ICC for the crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the “war on drugs”.
In a press conference on Wednesday (March 26) at the University Hotel, Honasan said that in a normal situation, there are the views of 100 million Filipinos who are expressing their political views.
“This is not anti-BBM, not pro-Duterte, but pro-Filipino. We are filing a petition before the International Criminal Court to bring back home FPRRD,” Honasan said.
“We are relying on the Rule 103 of the International Criminal Court, Article 3, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution — Life, Liberty.”
The petition will seek relief from the ICC to facilitate FPRRD’s return, following mounting concerns about his well-being.
” Procedurally, in front of the camera, in front of the social media, the broad coalition of NGOs does not want disunity but unity.
Honasan said that it is not anymore an issue about FPRRD, but a national issue such that Duterte should be returned to the Philippines and put him on trial in the country.
For what has happened in the last two weeks, Honasan said, he could not anymore see the true Filipino.
“We will go to Liwasang Bonifacio and put up a desk there for those who will sign in the petition seeking the return of Duterte.
Honasan cited that there could have been a lot of personalities in the ICC who had a groundswell of support.
” This is not anymore about Duterte, but we have to show to the ICC that we are a great people.
” The elections might help solve some of our problems, but not all of our problems.
Honasan urged all candidates in the May 12, 2025 elections to join them in their petition such that if there’s no justice, everything else will not matter.
“It’s the quality of the signatures in the petition, and not the quantity that we are seeking for and we don’t have a timetable.”
Honasan disagreed with the call for a new People Power Revolution, saying “Let’s be patient. Let’s reach out.”
Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said “we want our laws to prevail over that of the Rome Statute.
“We know that the ICC would only come in if our justice system does not operate.
” This is a slap from the lowest court to the highest court of the land.
“The ICC does not anymore have jurisdiction over the Philippines when our country withdrew from the ICC in 2019.
“There is a difference between the existence of jurisdiction and exercise of jurisdiction.
“Temporal jurisdiction is problematic because our country has already withdrawn from the ICC.
“We believe that the warrant of arrest issued by the ICC should not have been implemented as the ICC has no more jurisdiction over the Philippines.
“Our laws should have been enforced first before the Roman Statute or ICC is taken into consideration.
Marcoleta stressed that this is a formal petition which is recognized by the ICC.
The physical body of the warrant of arrest should have been presented and the representative of the Interpol or the PCTC representative should have been present before serving the warrant and effect the arrest of Duterte.
Duterte should have been presented first before a competent Philippine Judicial authority before he was turned over to the ICC through the Interpol.
Duterte may be popular but he is not anymore president and he may be granted interim release under some conditions pending the trial on Sept. 23, 2025 in the ICC.
Marcoleta cited the warrant of arrest issued by the ICC against Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes and crimes against humanity but to no avail.
“We have a dynamic justice system. Our National Prosecution Service is working. Former President Duterte is not facing any single case in the Philippines,” Marcoleta said.
“No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process of law,” he added.
Capt. Dante Langkit said that due process is very important for him because he was a former Army and was detained.
For the past years, Capt. Dante Langkit had been an advocate of due process and inclusivity such that there are people who are arrested but have been accorded due process.
“In this coalition, we become stronger because we are being heard here and listened to even for a few words.”
The coalition detailed the basis of the petition, the legal framework under international law and the rationale behind this coordinated effort.
Democratic Party of the Philippines President Police Gen. Dado Valeroso (Ret.) said that they are supporting the act of Honasan and Rep. Marcoleta to sign a petition concerning the rights and due process to Filipinos and the call for a signature campaign.
Valeroso said the petition cites the invalidity of the arrest warrant against Duterte, fundamental human rights which is inalienable, the removal from the Philippines and the surrender to the ICC which is already moot and academic.
Councilor Ludovica said “kung ayaw, may dahilan, kung gusto, may paraan” referring to the petition they are filing. ###
