Duterte's ICC Lawyer Throws a Bomb: 'Why Isn't Anyone Investigating Marcos? The Killings Didn't Stop When Duterte Left'

Duterte's lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman dropped a bombshell argument at the ICC on Thursday — pointing the finger at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and asking why nobody is investigating the current administration for vigilante killings that, according to data, continued well after Duterte left office.

'There is no reason to believe that Duterte's disappearance from the political scene would have frustrated the ongoing incidents of murder at the hands of state agents or vigilantes,' Kaufman told the judges. The implication was clear: if Duterte caused the killings, why didn't they stop when he left?

Kaufman backed his claim with University of the Philippines Dahas Project data showing that 160 out of 342 killings during the first year of the Marcos administration were at the hands of state agents. The number actually increased to 362 killings from July 2023 to June 2024, with state agents responsible for 34%.

'Clearly, I'm forced to ask myself whether anyone on the other side of this room has thought of investigating the Marcos regime and holding someone accountable,' Kaufman said directly to the prosecutors. He also questioned why the drug war victims' representatives weren't demanding accountability for these later killings.

It's a bold strategy — essentially arguing that the problem is systemic, not Duterte-specific. Whether this helps or hurts the defense remains to be seen. GMA News has reached out to Malacañang for comment pero wala pang response. The final hearing day with closing statements is scheduled for Friday.

Source: GMA News