MANILA – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has approved former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request to add an individual to his list of authorized non-privileged contacts while he remains under detention pending trial.
In an 11-page ruling, ICC Trial Chamber III ordered the court’s Registry to include the unnamed individual, whose identity was redacted in publicly released documents, among the people Duterte may communicate with under existing monitoring conditions.
The chamber said restrictions previously imposed on calls and visits involving the individual were no longer necessary based on the circumstances presented before the court.
“In light of these circumstances, the Chamber finds that the current prohibitions on calls and visits between the Accused and [REDACTED] no longer seem necessary,” the ruling stated.
“The Chamber therefore orders the Registry to add [REDACTED] to the list of the Accused’s non-privileged contacts, under the conditions as set forth in the previous decisions,” it added.
The court reiterated that detainees are entitled to communicate with family members and other individuals through letters, telephone calls, and visits, subject to applicable regulations.
“The Chamber further recalls that the detainee’s right to privacy and family life is implicitly recognized under the Court’s statutory framework,” it said.
“Moreover, the right to privacy and family life is an internationally recognized human rights principle and thus also guides the Chamber’s interpretation of the Court’s legal framework by virtue of Article 21(3) of the Statute,” it added.
According to the ruling, Duterte’s defense team filed the request in May, seeking permission for the former president to communicate with the individual under monitored conditions consistent with previous court directives.
The ICC prosecution did not oppose the request, although it disputed some of the arguments raised by the defense. The chamber said there was no need to address those remaining issues since both parties did not disagree on the relief sought.
The Registry likewise informed the court that it had no concerns to report regarding Duterte’s compliance with contact restrictions since its last update in November 2025.
The chamber also extended Duterte’s existing communication restrictions, subject to the modifications outlined in the latest ruling.
Duterte is facing charges before the ICC in connection with alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign. His trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 30, 2026./PN
