21/07/2026
Petition to the President of the United States of America
Urging the United States to Support Philippine Sovereignty and Encourage the Return of Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the Philippines
To: President Donald J. Trump
The White House
United States of America
Dear Mr. President,
We, the undersigned, respectfully ask you to use the influence of the United States to support the principle that the future of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte should be determined by the Filipino people and the Philippine justice system, rather than by an international court.
The United States has, for many years and under administrations of both political parties, expressed serious concerns regarding the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction and its reach over sovereign nations. We have also noted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s reported commitment to “dismantle the ICC brick by brick.”
In light of that position, we respectfully ask that your Administration consider extending similar support to the Republic of the Philippines by encouraging that the case involving former President Duterte be addressed within the Philippine legal system, where Philippine courts can determine the facts, apply Philippine law where appropriate, and ensure justice is administered by the nation to which he belongs.
Many Filipinos and supporters around the world believe that questions concerning the actions of a democratically elected Philippine President should, wherever legally possible, be resolved by Philippine institutions rather than by a foreign tribunal.
Former President Duterte is now an elderly man, and there have been public reports raising concerns about his health during his detention. Whatever one’s opinion of his presidency, we believe he is entitled to humane treatment, due process, and the opportunity for his case to be resolved without unnecessary delay.
This petition is not intended to disregard the suffering of alleged victims or prejudge any legal findings. Accountability is essential in any democratic society. However, we believe that accountability should, wherever possible and consistent with international law, be exercised through the sovereign institutions of the Philippines.
We therefore respectfully ask that you:
* Continue your Administration’s principled opposition to what it views as ICC overreach.
* Raise diplomatic support for respecting Philippine sovereignty in this matter.
* Encourage that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte be returned to the Philippines so that any legal proceedings may be conducted by Philippine courts, should Philippine law permit.
* Support a humane and timely resolution of his case.
We believe that justice is strongest when it is delivered by the institutions of a sovereign nation, accountable to its own people.
Mr. President, we respectfully ask you to stand with the Filipino people who believe that the Philippines should decide the fate of its own former Head of State.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
The Undersigned
Malcolm Conlan
(Please feel free to add your comments here and join the campaign for the Philippines to take care of the case. As President Trump and the USA doesn’t support or acknowledge the ICC, why should the Philippines?).
Here is the link to the actual petition:
(It’s FREE to sign, this will be sent to the President of the United States on completion).
https://c.org/pswpMZD8Pp
