House Arrest Resolutions Clash with Rome Statute
MANILA, Philippines — The recent calls for the house arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte face legal hurdles under international law. Human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares, representing families of drug war victims, emphasized that resolutions seeking Duterte’s house arrest are “not legal” according to the Rome Statute.
Colmenares responded to reports about two Senate resolutions proposing Duterte’s detention at home. “I don’t know the motives of those who filed them, but they should know that these resolutions are not legal under the Rome Statute. House arrest is not allowed,” he told local media.
He added, “I don’t see any reason why a resolution should affect the provisions of the Rome Statute.” The key phrase house arrest resolutions appears early, highlighting the legal conflict.
Senators Push for Duterte’s House Arrest Abroad
Last Thursday, a Senate resolution urged the Philippine government to push for the interim release of Duterte and place him under house arrest at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands. The proposal cited the former president’s declining health due to old age and prolonged social isolation.
Following this, three senators filed a similar resolution advocating for Duterte’s house arrest in a residence at The Hague. Senators Robin Padilla, Christopher “Bong” Go, and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa based their call on Duterte’s advanced age, medical conditions, and separation from family.
Legal Perspectives on House Arrest Resolutions
Colmenares argued that such resolutions should be reserved for those unjustly detained. “So, for us … we hope that the resolutions filed by the senators will be for those who are truly deserving, meaning to say unjustly detained. Those with trumped-up cases, those who are old, [those kinds of] humanitarian cases here in the Philippines,” he explained.
He underscored that the Rome Statute does not permit house arrest as a form of detention for individuals like Duterte. This stance highlights the tension between domestic political initiatives and international legal frameworks.
For more news and updates on house arrest resolutions, visit Filipinokami.com.
