ICC Lifts Restriction Versus Unnamed Duterte Visitor
The ICC Trial Chamber III granted the defense’s request to add an individual, whose name was redacted, to the list of people allowed to have contact with Duterte.
Trial judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have lifted restrictions on an individual previously barred from visiting former president Rodrigo Duterte at his detention facility in The Hague.
In a seven-page decision dated June 11, the ICC Trial Chamber III granted the defense’s request to add an individual, whose name was redacted, to the list of people allowed to have contact with Duterte.
“The Chamber finds that the current prohibitions on calls and visits between the Accused and [REDACTED] no longer seem necessary,” the judges ruled.
“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.
It was unclear if the decision refers to Duterte’s partner Honeylet Avanceña.
Last year, she confirmed that she was barred from visiting the former president after they supposedly discussed details of the case over a phone call.
In its ruling, the ICC Trial Chamber III noted that the prosecution posed no objection in updating the current restrictions between Duterte and the said individual.
“The Registry submits that ‘it has no concern to report’ since its last report submitted in November 2025,” the decision read.
“The Victims and Witnesses Unit, upon conducting an independent assessment, concluded that ‘it has identified no concern that would warrant an objection to the Defence Request, provided that the Restrictions on Contact remains in place,’” it added.
Under ICC’s rules, detainees are entitled to visits from family members, including a spouse or partner, as well as from a minister or spiritual adviser.
They are also entitled to privacy when meeting with defense lawyers and privileged communication with a consular or diplomatic representative.
Duterte has been regularly visited by his children Sara, Sebastian, Paolo and Veronica. He has also received visits from his former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman and some of his grandchildren.
