Manila, March 19 -- A lawyer on Wednesday warned that granting interim release to former president Rodrigo Duterte could jeopardize the integrity of evidence and intimidate witnesses in the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings against him.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said Duterte remains influential and capable of obstructing the case.

"Malaki ang capacity niya to, sa totoo lang, maghasik ng lagim (He has a significant capacity to, honestly speaking, sow terror)," Conti said.

Conti warned that allowing Duterte's interim release could lead to witness intimidation or harm, as well as tampering with evidence.

"Importante para sa ICC na sa pagpapatuloy ng proseso ay walang inti...