Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has officially arrived in The Hague, Netherlands, and is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands confirmed that Duterte touched down at Rotterdam Airport aboard a chartered flight (RP-C5219) at exactly 4:56 p.m. CET (11:56 p.m. PH time) on Wednesday. Upon arrival, Philippine law enforcement authorities formally handed him over to the ICC’s Judicial Cooperation Unit of the Office of Registry.
This marks a significant moment in international justice as Duterte, once a powerful and controversial figure, now finds himself in the ICC’s detention facilityโan institution often misunderstood by the public.
Unlike traditional prisons, the ICC’s detention unit is structured to uphold international standards while ensuring a fair process for detainees awaiting trial.
Inside the ICC Detention Unit: What Awaits Duterte?
While many assume the ICC facility resembles a high-security prison, it operates quite differently.
Hereโs what Duterte can expect:
A Detention Unit, Not a Prison โ The facility isnโt a traditional penitentiary. Instead, it functions as a secure holding area for individuals awaiting trial, sentence, or transfer.
The Chief Custody Officer, Paddy Craig, emphasizes that detainees are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
A Small Detainee Population โ At its peak, the detention unit has housed up to 14 individuals simultaneously.
Currently, it holds only six detainees, including Maliโs Al-Faqi Almahdi, who has already been sentenced and is awaiting transfer. Should the need arise, the unit can accommodate more.
Earning Privileges โ Detainees have the opportunity to earn money by participating in tasks such as cleaning communal areas.
The funds can be sent to their families or used to purchase additional food suppliesโincluding specialty ingredients from an โAfrican shopโ catering to specific culinary preferences.
Recreational Activities โ The facility provides various recreational options, including five-a-side football matches where even guards join in, a tennis court, a gym with instructors, and access to basic medical care.
Special medical treatments can be arranged if necessary.
Humane Conditions
Strict Yet Humane Living Conditions โ The detention center is far from a luxury retreat.
Detainees sleep in small rooms with narrow beds and limited amenities. They are locked in overnight and for two hours during staff mealtimes.
Yet, the environment is described as less rigid than traditional high-security prisons.
Multilingual Staff & Special Training โ The unitโs 34 staff members, including 29 prison officers, undergo annual intercultural training to counter complacency and ensure fair treatment.
Many are selected based on additional skills like social work experience.
Limited Communication & Surveillance โ Detainees have access to computers but without internet connectivity. Communication with legal counsel is via a VPN.
The detainees receive 200 minutes of free phone time per month to a restricted list of numbers. Calls, while recorded, are only reviewed under court orders.
Family Visits & Conjugal Rights โ Family members can visit, though travel expenses can be a challenge. A separate Trust Fund exists to assist with these costs.
A conjugal room is available for private meetings with spouses during designated visiting hours.
A More โRelaxedโ Facility โ The ICC detention unit maintains a โsmaller regime,โ meaning a less hierarchical structure compared to conventional prisons.
However, Chief Custody Officer Craig is firm that the facility operates strictly according to international legal standards.
What Lies Ahead?
Duterteโs arrival at The Hague sets the stage for what could be a lengthy legal battle. As proceedings unfold, the world will be watching how the ICC handles the case against the former Philippine leader, whose controversial war on drugs and alleged human rights violations have drawn international scrutiny.
Duterteโs supporters may continue to rally outside the detention center. But the reality within is clearโhe is now under the jurisdiction of the ICC. It is where justice, not political power, will determine his fate.
