ICC prosecutors present preliminary evidence against Rodrigo Duterte
The Office of the Prosecution at Pre-Trial Chamber 1 of the International Criminal Court (ICC) presented and provided 181 items of evidence to Rodrigo Duterte’s camp for their review on March 24. The documents were reported by the court as “INCRIM package 001.”
Providing these documents to Duterte’s camp is in accordance with the process of “disclosure of evidence” ensuring that all evidence is communicated to the suspect.
The prosecutors said the document they sent contains materials and reports stated in the issued arrest warrant against him for crimes against humanity, particularly murder.
Duterte was placed under ICC custody in The Hague on March 12 after being arrested by Philippine police on March 11. He first appeared in court on March 14 to confirm his identity, state his rights, and have the charges filed against him read.
Duterte’s next court hearing is scheduled for September 23, which is the time to confirm the complaint filed against him. British-Israeli Nicholas Kaufman stands as Duterte’s lead lawyer.
Meanwhile, human rights groups and relatives of victims of Duterte’s bloody drug war continue to call for the accountability and conviction of the chief butcher. Human rights groups estimate at least 20,000 and up to 30,000 were killed in the drug war.
The groups will launch widespread protests in the Philippines and abroad on March 28, Duterte’s 80th birthday. The protest day’s primary call is “justice for all Duterte’s victims.”