RODRIGO DUTERTE IN ICC CUSTODY

The Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has disclosed a substantial volume of evidence to the defense in the case involving former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. This disclosure, made on July 1, 2025, comprises 1,253 items organized under various thematic categories, all classified as “Confidential.”

The communication, dated July 4, 2025, was submitted to Pre-Trial Chamber I, presided over by Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, with Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge Maria del Socorro Flores Liera also on the panel.

The evidence disclosed falls under several “Pre-Confirmation INCRIM packages,” primarily focusing on “Crimes Against Humanity.” These packages include:

• Contextual Elements: Two packages (030 and 036) totaling 385 items (Annexes A and F).
• Murder – Davao Death Squad, Mayoral Period: 23 items (Annex B).
• Murder – Barangay Clearance Operations, Presidential Period: 195 items (Annex C).
• Murder – High-Value Target, Presidential Period: 123 items (Annex D).
• Modes of Liability: Two packages (035 and 037) totaling 329 items (Annexes E and G).
• All Themes: 30 items (Annex H).

Additionally, the disclosure includes a “Pre-Confirmation PEXO package 005” with 5 items of “Information that suggests a line of defence” (Annex I), and a “Pre-Confirmation Rule 77 package 011” containing 163 items of “Contextual Elements – Background information – Material for the preparation of the Defence” (Annex J).

The document, signed by Mame Mandiaye Niang, Deputy Prosecutor, indicates that the disclosure was made in compliance with a Pre-Trial Chamber I order and pursuant to articles 61(3)(b) and 67(1)(a) and (b) of the Statute, and rules 76(3) and 77 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

The notification of this document was sent to various parties, including the Office of the Prosecutor, Counsel for the Defence, The Office of Public Counsel for Victims, Victims and Witnesses Unit, and the Detention Section. Other parties that may be notified include Legal Representatives of the Victims, Legal Representatives of the Applicants, Unrepresented Victims, Unrepresented Applicants (Participation/Reparation), The Office of Public Counsel for the Defence, States’ Representatives, Amicus Curiae, Registrar (M. Osvaldo Zavala Giler), Counsel Support Section, and Victims Participation and Reparations Section.

This significant disclosure marks a critical step in the pre-trial proceedings of the case against Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as the defense now has access to the evidence compiled by the prosecution.