18-3-2025 (MANILA) Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case, legal experts warn that the aggressive social media behaviour of his supporters might adversely affect his chances of interim release during trial proceedings.
Joel Butuyan, an ICC-accredited barrister, shared his insights at a recent Foreign Correspondents Association forum in Manila, highlighting how the digital intimidation campaign could sway judicial decisions. The coordinated actions of Duterte’s supporters, particularly their targeting of Romanian ICC Judge Iulia Motoc’s professional networks, have raised serious concerns about witness protection and judicial independence.
The mounting pressure on social platforms, including a concentrated effort to flood Judge Motoc’s LinkedIn profile with demands for Duterte’s release, has drawn sharp criticism from legal observers. ICC Assistant Counsel Kristina Conti emphasised that such behaviour could constitute a violation of Article 70 of the Rome Statute, potentially leading to additional legal complications.
The former president faces charges of crimes against humanity, with the tribunal examining 43 alleged killings linked to both the notorious Davao Death Squad and law enforcement operations during his presidency. The timeline under scrutiny spans from November 2011 to March 2019.
Particularly worrying is the reported intimidation of victims’ families who have stepped forward to testify. Legal experts stress that any interim release application would need to demonstrate “extreme and urgent necessity” – a threshold that might prove challenging given the current climate of intimidation.
The digital harassment campaign has created an unprecedented situation where social media activities could directly influence judicial proceedings at the international level. Conti warned that these actions might not only jeopardise Duterte’s release prospects but could also result in additional charges under international law.
