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| Duterte looked frail as he appeared via video link at the ICC hearing (ICC photo) |
Former Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte appeared before the International Criminal Court in The Hague on Friday, Mar. 14, charged with “crimes against humanity of murder” over the killings of “at least” 43 people during his bloody war on drugs over an eight-year period.
Duterte looked frail as he testified through video
link from the ICC Detention Centre, becoming the first Asian leader to be
charged before the tribunal.
Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc said Duterte had
requested for his participation through video link, and the court agreed.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
She then went on to verify Duterte’s identity by
asking for his full name and place of birth, then informed him of his rights
under the Rome Statute of the ICC.
Among those in court was his lawyer Salvador
Medialdea, while his daughter, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, watched from the
gallery.
Medialdea told the three ICC judges that the
79-year-old former leader was “abducted” so he could be taken to The Hague, and
was too ill to give evidence.
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Duterte was flown to the Netherlands a few hours
after being arrested by Philippine police at the Manila airport on his arrival
from Hong Kong early on Wednesday.
Medialdea claimed Duterte’s arrest and appearance at
the ICC was “pure and simple kidnapping” and that his client was suffering from
“debilitating” medical issues.
Judge Motoc replied that the court doctor who examined Duterte prior to the hearing had found him “fully mentally aware and fit.”
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| The all-women judges of ICC's pre-trial chamber presided over the hearing |
She added that Duterte and his lawyers can
raise questions about his transfer to the court and his health at subsequent hearings.
The judge set down Duterte’s next court
appearance on Sept. 23, during which the court will determine
whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. She said this should give
both sides enough time to prepare their arguments.
Until then, Duterte will have to remain in custody.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
The warrant against Duterte which was made public on
Mar. 11, alleges that he was an indirect co-perpetrator of the crimes against
humanity of murder, torture and rape committed in the Philippines between Nov
1, 2011 and Mar 16, 2019.
According to the court, the charges were based on a “non-exhaustive
list of incidents” submitted by the prosecution, which identified a total of at
least 43 people being killed during Duterte’s “Oplan Tokhang” crackdown on
drugs, while serving as mayor of Davao City and later, as president of the
Philippines.
At least 19 persons alleged drug pushers or thieves
were said to have been killed in or around Davao City by a group of vigilantes
called the DDS or Davao Death Squad; and at least 24 other supposed criminals while
Duterte was serving as Philippine president between 2016 and 2022.
