Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque have parted ways with former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team in his International Criminal Court (ICC) case. This development comes as Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC
Medialdea, who was present during Duterte’s arrest, had attempted to block the Philippine National Police from escorting Duterte to a plane bound for the Netherlands. Roque, on the other hand, had expressed Duterte’s wish to be tried in the Philippines.
The exit of Medialdea and Roque from Duterte’s defense team raises questions about the former president’s legal strategy moving forward. Duterte is set to be arraigned in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity and will remain in custody at the ICC section of the United Nations Detention Unit while awaiting trial.
