Duterte’s counsel ‘twisting facts’ on interim releaseMANILA, Philippines — The lead counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte is “twisting” facts with his claim that the Marcos administration does not have any objection to his release from detention in The Hague where he is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity for the deaths of thousands in his so-called war on drugs. “He had done this action before when he asserted that the ICC prosecutor had no objection with former president Duterte’s request for interim release. Duterte’s counsel cited Castro’s remark at a press briefing last Wednesday in response to a query about Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that a third country had already agreed to host her father. “Interim release will not, in any way, affect or hinder the proceedings on fitness or of the case more generally,” Kaufman claimed. Duterte’s release while litigation on fitness is underway would ensure a proper balance between a suspect’s rights under the Statute while respecting the efficiency and integrity of the proceedings,” he added.