Prompted by an urgent petition seeking the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte from the custody of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the Supreme Court conducted a special raffle on Tuesday night to assign the case for immediate action by one of its members.

SC spokesperson Camille Ting said Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo ordered the holding of a special raffle pursuant to Rule 7, Section 7 of the Internal Rules of the High Court.

“Given the significance of this case and upon the Chief Justice’s instructions, a special raffle has been conducted,” said Ting in a statement.

The Duterte camp made the move in the SC as it attempts to prevent the Interpol and the Philippine National Police from taking Duterte to The Hague and place him into the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

The former chief executive reportedly remained in the PNP custody but supporters aired fears that he will be sent outside the country soon.

Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa petitioned the SC to issue a temporary restraining order prohibiting government from cooperating with the ICC which has been investigating the bloody war on drugs launched during Duterte’s term as president.

Named respondents in the petition were Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo; PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil; PNP-CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III; Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra; former Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

They also sought to halt the enforcement of arrest warrants, summonses or requests from the ICC in prosecuting the former president in connection with the case of crimes against humanity filed against him.

The petitioners called on the SC to issue a TRO that will prohibit government from allowing the Interpol or any foreign law agency from executing warrants for the arrest of the former chief executive.

Aside from the TRO, the petitioners sought a writ of preliminary prohibitory and mandatory injunction to prevent the respondents from taking further actions on the case.