Duterte team gets doc on evidence of crimes vs. humanity

The legal team of former President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed it has received a copy of the document detailing the 181 pieces of evidence against the latter for alleged murder as a crime against humanity. 

According to Mariz Umali's exclusive report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, Duterte’s lead counsel said they have the first batch of documents from the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor. 

“The Defence for former President Duterte has indeed received the first batch of materials which the Prosecution is obliged to disclose pursuant to its obligations under Rome Statute. These materials are disclosed on a confidential basis and I am not entitled to discuss their content,” said Nicholas Kaufman in a statement sent to GMA Integrated News. 

A document titled “Prosecution’s First Communication of the Disclosure of Evidence” became available in ICC’s website last March 24. 

The document contained 181 items that were also submitted by the prosecutor when it requested a warrant of arrest from the pre-trial chamber. 

“Itong disclosure ng evidence na ito, pwede natin sabihin na ito yung mga ebidensya na nakalakip din dun sa application for an arrest warrant na finile po noong Office of the Prosecutor… But as to yung mga specifics po, hindi po natin yan alam for now,” said Gilbert Andres, an ICC-accredited lawyer who is assisting the victims of extrajudicial killings. 

(We can say that this disclosure of evidence is the evidence attached to the application for an arrest warrant that was filed by the Office of the Prosecutor…But as to the specifics, we don’t have any idea on them for now.) 

The document’s footnote stated that the prosecution will have to submit some items to the chamber and the defense regarding seven witnesses without naming them. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News