Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, lead counsel for former President Rodrigo Duterte, has made a stunning appeal to the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging that Duterte’s arrest was tantamount to “extrajudicial rendition” or “kidnapping”. Medialdea described the arrest as “degrading” during Friday’s pre-trial hearing.
Medialdea’s claims come as Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s “war on drugs”. The ICC has been investigating Duterte’s alleged role in extrajudicial killings during his presidency.
Duterte’s legal team, led by Medialdea, is expected to vigorously defend the former president against the ICC’s charges. The case has sparked intense interest and debate in the Philippines and internationally, with many watching closely to see how the ICC proceedings unfold.
