The International Criminal Court (ICC) in a court document dated October 10, rejected the request for interim release of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The document stated that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled that Duterte “continues to pose a flight risk and detention is necessary to ensure his presence during the pre-trial proceedings and possible trial.”

Therefore, the former president is ordered for ‘continued detention’.

The Chamber further explained that given Duterte’s position as former president of the Republic of the Philippines, he still has political contacts and a network of support including that of his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte which the ICC said “may help him abscond”.

Additionally, the Chamber emphasized that Duterte is facing multiple charges including a number of murders and attempted murders as crimes against humanity which, if convicted at trial for all or part of the charges, “he may receive a lengthy sentence.”

The court ruling was signed by Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc together with Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.