ICC Deputy Prosecutor Calls Ex-Marines' Affidavit a 'Deliberate Intimidation' — Says Investigation Was NOT Funded by Politicians

ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang has fired back at an affidavit from former Philippine marines that accused politicians of secretly funding the ICC's investigation into Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. In an exclusive interview with Rappler right after the pre-trial hearings concluded, Niang called the move 'deliberate intimidation.'

'That was certainly deliberately done to intimidate us because I think that normally, our missions shouldn't be in the open public and that's something that shouldn't be done,' Niang said. The affidavit, which surfaced during Day 2 of the hearings, alleged cash deliveries to former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to partly fund the ICC investigation.

The ex-marines even identified supposed ICC personnel by name and included a photo of a woman they claimed was Chantal Daniels, the Office of the Prosecution's international cooperation adviser. Niang firmly denied any political funding, saying the OTP operates solely through resources allocated by ICC member states.

During Day 3 of the hearings, defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman referenced a recorded phone interview where someone allegedly 'bragged about acting as President Marcos Jr.'s silent partner for channeling witnesses to the ICC.' Niang responded that the ICC can cooperate with private individuals and even government officials — that in itself is not improper.

The deputy prosecutor expressed confidence that the judges will confirm the charges and commit Duterte to trial. 'For whoever was in the courtroom... the judges will vindicate us by committing this case to trial,' Niang told Rappler. Trillanes has denied receiving any money for the ICC investigation.

Source: Rappler