DAVAO City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte claims that the narrative surrounding extrajudicial killings (EJK) is being deliberately built up, insisting that the incidents were lawful police operations during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Speaking on the Basta Dabawenyos podcast on March 18, 2025, Baste alleged that their political opponents are pushing the idea of indiscriminate killings to frame the elder Duterte for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He further stated that the national government’s decision to surrender Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC stemmed from gaps in the Bicameral Report, which he believes is a diversionary tactic to shift public attention away from national budget issues.
“Pulitika gyud ni, sinugdanan man gyud ilahang gina-accuse akoang igsoon diha sa Congress nga nangawat og kwarta unya gi-ingnan pud namo karon asa maning kwartaha ni, saan man yang pera na sinasabi niyo (This is pure politics. It all started when they accused my sister in Congress of stealing money. But when we asked them, 'Where is this money you're talking about?),” he said.
“Yung kapatid ko may kinuhang pera etong pera na ito nasaan ito ngayon, hindi nila masagot so yung reaction nila sige kidnapin namin tatay nyo (If my sister really took the money, then where is it now? They can't answer that. So their reaction is, 'Fine, we'll just kidnap your father'),” he continued.
On March 11, 2025, Rodrigo Duterte was taken to The Hague, Netherlands, following allegations of crimes against humanity. He attended a pre-trial hearing virtually on March 14.
Lawyer Marie Dinah Tolentino-Fuentes, legal counsel for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), stated that the ICC has scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing in September 2025, where the former president will be formally informed of the charges against him.
She clarified that while three charges were initially filed, only one — murder — resulted in a warrant of arrest.
“That is what President Duterte is facing — murder charges. After the charges are confirmed in September, the trial will begin by the prosecution but that process could take time,” she said.
Fuentes also noted that Duterte’s legal team may seek an interim release, similar to bail, but the opposition may challenge it, arguing that he could flee or tamper with evidence.
Meanwhile, lawyer Regal Oliva, former city treasurer of Mandaue City, said that the judge presiding over the pre-trial has ordered the prosecution to present their case before September 23.
Oliva said if by September 23, the prosecution fails to present a strong case to proceed to trial, the case could automatically be dismissed.
She added that while temporary release may be possible, Duterte would be restricted to the Netherlands or other host countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, or Norway, provided he appears at every court hearing. RGP