Cheyenne Suarez

3-4 witnesses tapped to testify against Duterte before ICC

Article (news)

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17509152709641750915263203.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former President Rodrigo Duterte leads the proclamation rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, on February 13, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former President Rodrigo Duterte leads the proclamation rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, on February 13, 2025. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said three to four witnesses set to testify before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte are being assisted by the Philippine government.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/doj-confirms-cooperation-with-icc-offers-to-fly-drug-war-witnesses-to-the-hague-1447">DOJ confirms cooperation with ICC, offers to fly drug war witnesses to The Hague</a></div><p>“Ang pagkakaalam ko, tatlo o apat pa lang iyong tinutulungan natin, but I think there will be more, there will be more,” Remulla said.</p><p>The witnesses are under the DOJ&#x27;s witness protection program (WPP).</p><p>Remulla said the government will take care of the safety and security needs of the witnesses in the country, but clarified that transporting them to The Hague, Netherlands will not be shouldered by the government.</p><div><strong>&#x27;NO OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION&#x27;</strong></div><p>Remulla said the ICC got in touch with the WPP for the protection of the witnesses.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/24/icc-prosecutor-opposes-duterte-s-request-for-interim-release-1649">ICC prosecutor opposes Duterte’s request for interim release</a></div><p>He, however, said there was no official communication on paper from the court.</p><p>“Basta may mga taga-ICC na tumawag sa ating Witness Protection Program, doon nagsimula iyan, hindi ako ang kausap. In fact, I don’t even know them, I just let our WPP people handle it kasi nga confined iyan sa trabaho nila,” Remulla said.</p><p>The DOJ stressed that the stance of the Marcos administration that the Philippines is not a member of the ICC still remains.</p><p>He further explained that the Philippine government has already invoked Republic Act No. 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/icc-got-taste-of-duterte-disinformation-with-interim-release-plea-lawyer-1436">ICC got taste of &#x27;Duterte disinformation&#x27; with interim release plea: lawyer</a></div><p>“It becomes also our obligation to help them because we are giving up our jurisdiction for their jurisdiction kasi nga ang hirap na i-prove ang case dito... Kaya ipinaubaya natin sa ICC,” Remulla said.</p><div><strong>MORE WITNESSES VS DUTERTE EXPECTED: COUNSEL</strong></div><p>Atty. Kristina Conti, Assistant to Counsel at the ICC and Secretary-General of the National Union of People’s Lawyers - NCR, said the number of witnesses expected to testify against Duterte before the ICC may still increase.</p><p>In an interview on DZMM’s “Isyu Spotted” on Thursday, June 26, Conti clarified that while two in-person witnesses are confirmed for the September 23 confirmation of charges hearing, the Office of the Prosecutor continues to build its case and additional testimonies may still be presented.</p><p>“Bukas pa iyong investigation kaya pwede pa talagang magdagdag ng witnesses whether against Duterte or any other additional accused,” Conti said.</p><p>She emphasized that the pre-trial phase is still ongoing, allowing for more witnesses to be considered before the actual trial begins.</p><p>The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has set July 1 as the deadline for the exchange of information, while July 4 has been marked for the release of the charges that Duterte must respond to. These dates, according to Conti, are critical steps as the court prepares for the September hearing.</p><p>“Ang deadline, July 1. Iyon ‘yung next week na deadline. July 4, lalabas iyong parang information... ano ang kaso,” she noted, adding that the upcoming document will outline the charges in detail, including Duterte’s alleged role and the specific incidents attributed to him.</p><p>Conti also addressed earlier statements from Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who claimed that 3 to 4 witnesses are either known to the DOJ or are under ICC protection. She clarified that the minimum two witnesses set for September appear to be different individuals.</p><p>“Itong minimum na 2 [witnesses], e’ ‘di labas na ‘yan sa sinasabi ng DOJ na 3 to 4. Doble na nga,” Conti remarked, adding that more names could surface as the trial progresses.</p><p>Regarding witness security and protection, Conti acknowledged the involvement of the DOJ in providing assistance, particularly for those within the country. While she welcomed institutional involvement, she cautioned against risks in revealing the identities of witnesses or using local relocation without strong safeguards.</p><p>Witnesses could also be granted anonymity in court, with ICC protocols allowing blurred faces, concealed identities, or testimony from separate rooms to prevent retraumatization.</p><p>“Retraumatization iyong nandoon ka sa isang mismong kwarto kung nasaan iyong parang feeling mo killer. So may pwedeng gawing paraa… kung sasabihin niya na i-blur niyo iyong mukha ko, ganyan,” said Conti.</p><p>As for the legal standing of the Philippines in the case despite its 2019 withdrawal from the ICC, Conti cited Article 127 of the Rome Statute, which obligates continued cooperation for any matter under consideration by the court prior to withdrawal.</p><p>“Para sa amin, paraan ito ng pag suporta doon sa ICC processes and with clear reasons, both legal and moral. Kasi kung meron kang Pilipino na under threat... dapat magbigay ka ng protection diyan,” she said.</p><p>The September 23 confirmation hearing will be a key moment in determining whether the ICC will proceed to trial in the case accusing Duterte of crimes against humanity in connection with his bloody war on drugs.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vcvs0dMPWB8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vCb681JuPTk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The International Criminal Court got in touch with the witness protection program for the protection of the witnesses.</p>

The International Criminal Court got in touch with the witness protection program for the protection of the witnesses.

3-4 witnesses tapped to testify against Duterte before ICC, more coming - DOJ

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3-4 witnesses tapped to testify against Duterte before ICC, more coming - DOJ

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 26, 2025 01:42 PM PHT

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Updated Jun 26, 2025 11:05 PM PHT

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icc

international criminal court

rodrigo duterte

the hague

crimes against humanity

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