It's Over: ICC Hearing on Duterte Wraps Up After 4 Days — Judges Have 60 Days to Decide If He Faces Full Trial

The confirmation of charges hearing against former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court has concluded after four intense days, with both the defense and prosecution delivering sharply opposing closing arguments. The three ICC judges — Reine Alapini-Gansou, Iulia Motoc, and Socorro Flores Liera — now have up to 60 days to issue their written decision.

Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman challenged the prosecution's case head-on, arguing that the evidence was 'inconsistent, unsubstantiated and failed to directly link Duterte to the extrajudicial killings.' He insisted the term 'high-value target' was merely an operational classification used in lawful anti-drug campaigns, not proof of a plan to kill.

Kaufman pointed to specific incidents where gunpowder residue was found on victims' hands — consistent with shootouts rather than executions — and highlighted operations conducted under judicially issued search warrants. He accused the prosecution of relying on witnesses with 'motives to avoid prosecution' while ignoring forensic evidence.

Senior trial lawyer Julian Nicholls argued for the prosecution, maintaining that the evidence overwhelmingly showed Duterte ordered and oversaw a systematic campaign that resulted in thousands of civilian deaths. The prosecution has been building its case since 2021, when the ICC authorized an investigation into the drug war killings.

If the judges confirm the charges, Duterte will face a full trial at The Hague — a historic first for a former Philippine president. If they decline, the case could be dismissed or sent back for further investigation. Duterte, who has been in ICC custody since his arrest, has refused to participate in the proceedings, calling his detention a 'kidnapping.'

Source: The Manila Times / ABS-CBN News