THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has disclosed 181 pieces of evidence against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte concerning allegations of crimes against humanity.
The disclosure was made in compliance with an order from Pre-Trial Chamber I, which consists of Judges Iulia Antoanella Motoc, Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and María del Socorro Flores Liera.
According to court documents, Duterte’s defense team received the evidence on March 21, 2025, as part of the Prosecution’s Pre-Confirmation INCRIM package 001.
This package includes materials referenced in the ICC’s arrest warrant for Duterte, excluding certain witness testimonies for which the disclosure deadline has been extended.
In a three-page communication dated March 24, 2025, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan KC emphasized that the disclosure aligns with Articles 61(3)(b) and 67(1)(a) and (b) of the Rome Statute, along with Rules 76(3) and 77 of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
These legal provisions ensure that the accused has access to evidence before the confirmation of charges hearing, allowing the defense adequate time for preparation.
Due to the sensitive nature of the disclosed materials, the ICC has classified an annex to the filing as “Confidential.”
These documents reportedly include testimonies from key witnesses, forensic reports, and other critical evidence linking Duterte to extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs.
Court records show that the Prosecution had previously requested an extension of the disclosure deadline for certain materials concerning seven key witnesses.
The Pre-Trial Chamber granted this request on March 20, 2025, citing the need for additional security measures to protect witnesses who may be at risk.
Duterte, who served as the president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, was arrested on March 11, 2025, following the execution of an ICC warrant with international cooperation.
He was subsequently transferred to The Hague, where he made his initial appearance before the ICC and was formally informed of the charges against him.
The arrest warrant, identified as ICC-01/21-83, is based on evidence compiled by the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor.
It alleges that Duterte was responsible for crimes against humanity, including murder and other inhumane acts, committed as part of a systematic attack against civilians.
Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court asserts jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was still a signatory to the Rome Statute, covering the period from July 1, 2016, to March 17, 2019.
Duterte’s legal team has consistently challenged the ICC’s authority, arguing that he should not be subject to international prosecution.
His lawyers claim the case is politically motivated and insist that Philippine courts should have jurisdiction over any allegations against him.
The next phase of the ICC proceedings will be the confirmation of charges hearing, during which prosecutors will present their case and demonstrate that sufficient evidence exists to proceed to a full trial.
If the Pre-Trial Chamber confirms the charges, Duterte will face a full trial before the ICC. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.
