ICC prosecutor wants more recorded testimonies admitted

Photos courtesy of the International Criminal Court show former president Rodrigo Duterte during his first in-person appearance before the tribunal since his arrest in March 2025.

Photos / ICC | via Janvic Mateo

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has requested six more prior recorded testimonies of witnesses to be admitted in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Acting prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang filed two separate requests seeking the admission of recorded testimonies of witnesses who he said would cover details of Duterte’s drug war, including alleged extrajudicial killings.

This brings the total number of witnesses covered by requests for admission of prior recorded testimonies to 15.

The first of the two new requests, originally filed on Oct. 12, covered witnesses P-0024, P-1357 and P-1359.

Niang said their testimonies primarily relate to the contextual elements of crimes against humanity.

He said their testimonies are suitable for formal submission in written form as they are “cumulative or corroborative nature.”

Based on the filing, P-0024’s written testimony will cover the legal process surrounding the drug war. P-1357 focuses on matters relating to the Davao death squad, while P-1359 discussed the increase in drug-related shooting incidents following Duterte’s election as president.

Meanwhile, the latest set of witnesses were covered in the Oct. 19 filing made public on Oct. 23.

Unlike the previous three, the prosecution still intends to present witnesses P-0008, P-1164 and P- 1303 even if their prior recorded testimonies are accepted by chamber.

The testimonies of P-0008 and P-1164 cover the extrajudicial killings allegedly perpetrated by police in the context of the drug war, including specific incidents included.

Meanwhile, P-1303’s testimony – in addition to covering some specific incidents – also includes general evidence on matters related to drug use.