By El Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — The legal team of former President Rodrigo Duterte has received nearly 7,000 evidence items from prosecutors at the International Criminal Court as preparations continue for his upcoming crimes against humanity trial.
A prosecution filing covering disclosures from January 7 through July 31 showed that 6,909 pieces of evidence had been turned over to Duterte’s defense.
The bulk, or 4,573 items, was classified under Rule 77 of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence. These materials include evidence that the defense can examine, along with documents intended to provide background and context to the proceedings.
Prosecutors also disclosed 2,279 items considered incriminating and 57 pieces described as potentially exonerating.
The incriminating evidence reportedly covers alleged killings connected to anti-drug operations, including cases involving barangay-level targets, high-value suspects and individuals allegedly connected to the Davao Death Squad.
The ICC prosecution has accused Duterte of responsibility for killings allegedly carried out as part of a common plan associated with his campaign against illegal drugs.
On the other hand, the potentially exonerating materials may include information that could cast doubt on the reliability of witnesses or point toward possible defenses available to Duterte.
The latest disclosure brings the volume of evidence provided to Duterte’s camp to a substantial level since his arrest and transfer to The Hague in March 2025.
The prosecution first submitted 181 evidence items on March 28, 2025, representing nearly 3,000 pages. In April, it disclosed another 421 documentary materials and nearly 16 hours of audio and video recordings.
Between July and December last year, at least 1,303 additional evidence items were also turned over to the defense.
With the trial scheduled to begin in November, both sides are now preparing to examine the growing body of evidence that will figure prominently in the ICC proceedings.
