International Criminal Court Prosecutors Ask to Admit Recorded Witness Testimonies Against Rodrigo Duterte
International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors have asked judges to admit the recorded testimonies of five witnesses in the crimes against humanity murder case against former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, philstar.com reported. In a public filing submitted on October 16, the prosecution urged Trial Chamber III to accept the prior recorded statements of witnesses identified as P-1087, P-1151, P-1158, P-1161, and P-1204. Acting Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang signed the filing, which seeks to introduce transcripts and related materials under Rule 68(3) of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence to establish an alleged policy of killing suspected criminals.
Scope of the Five Witness Accounts and Alleged Policies
The testimonies cover alleged killings during police operations, the implementation of Operation Double Barrel, the use of targeted suspect lists, and public statements that prosecutors argue normalized violence. According to philstar.com, witness P-1087 questioned the accuracy of Philippine National Police reports and stated that the Presidential Roa Duterte list gave officers a sense of impunity. Witness P-1151 discussed evidence on crimes against humanity linked to killings during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. Witnesses P-1158 and P-1161 provided evidence on the use of a list of suspected criminals during Duterte’s presidency, while witness P-1204 provided evidence regarding Duterte.
Defense Rights and Trial Preparations at the Hague
As philstar.com reported, the prosecution maintained that accepting the recorded testimonies would not compromise Duterte’s right to a fair trial, noting that his legal counsel has been aware of the matter since August 31, 2026, and will be given full opportunity to question the witnesses during judicial proceedings. The application represents the prosecution’s second request under Rule 68(3) to introduce previously recorded testimony. Meanwhile, the ICC ruled that Duterte is fit to stand trial, setting the opening of proceedings for November 30, 2026 (| International Criminal Court). Presiding Judge Joanna Korner of Trial Chamber III recently rejected a defense motion to cap prosecution evidence at 10,000 items while ordering the prosecution to identify exculpatory material for the defense, according to globalnation.inquirer.net. Duterte remains detained at the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen, Netherlands, facing three counts of crimes against humanity involving murders and attempted murders committed between November 2011 and March 2019.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Duterte ICC Trial
When did Rodrigo Duterte surrender to the International Criminal Court?
Duterte was arrested in Manila in March 2025 and surrendered to the ICC on March 12, 2025, according to philstar.com. He made his initial appearance before the court on March 14, 2025 (| International Criminal Court).
What specific charges does the former president face at The Hague?
Duterte faces three separate counts of crimes against humanity centered on accusations of murder and attempted murder in the Philippines spanning the timeframe from November 2011 to March 2019, as detailed by philstar.com. The charges stem from the ICC’s investigation into killings linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
When is the next scheduled court appearance in the case?
The next status conference for the Duterte case is tentatively scheduled for November 2, 2026, according to globalnation.inquirer.net. The main trial is scheduled to open on November 30, 2026 (| International Criminal Court).
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