A former government official on Wednesday expressed disappointment over what he described as a departure from the Philippine government’s longstanding policy of extending assistance to Filipinos detained overseas, amid the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmation of charges involving former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Interviewed in a video posted on 26 February, lawyer Martin Delgra III said it has been the policy of every administration – from Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, up to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. – to provide all necessary assistance to bring home Filipinos arrested, detained, tried or even convicted abroad.

“It has been the policy of the Philippine government under any administration that if a Filipino is arrested, detained, tried, and even convicted, the government extends all necessary assistance to bring that Filipino back home,” Delgra said.

Delgra cited several high-profile cases, including that of Sarah Balabagan during the Ramos administration, Filipinos charged with espionage in China, and overseas Filipino workers previously charged with illegal assembly in the Middle East.

He also mentioned Mary Jane Veloso, who had been convicted in a drug-related case abroad.

“In fairness and to the credit of the Marcos administration, she was brought home,” he said.

Delgra said this consistent policy of government assistance was the reason he decided to speak out.

“That is why I am here. That is why this is truly disappointing, at the very least, because it goes against the long-standing policy of the Philippine government under any administration,” he said.

The ICC confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte stems from allegations linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.