THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Does the prosecution have sufficient to maneuver Rodrigo Duterte, former Philippine strongman, to a trial on the Worldwide Prison Courtroom (ICC)?
The prosecution offers a really assured “sure.”
“For whoever was within the courtroom, I feel that there is no such thing as a doubt we now have put actually a powerful case, and I’m fairly assured that within the two months to come back, the judges will vindicate us by committing this case to trial,” Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang advised Rappler in a one-on-one interview proper after the conclusion of the hearings on Friday, February 27.
Duterte’s lead protection counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, stated the whole lot the prosecution introduced had been “rumour.” Kaufman’s presentation on Day 3 was acknowledged even by victims’ attorneys for “lastly being authorized,” nonetheless, in his closing assertion, the British-Israeli lawyer made an emotional attraction that prosecution attorneys needed to strike off the report.
Kauman talked of his newest dialog with the detained Duterte and the way the previous president supposedly stated, “I’ve by no means murdered anybody.” Duterte had talked about instances earlier than of situations he had killed, telling reporters in 2016, for instance, that he had personally shot three males whereas mayor of Davao Metropolis.
“Mr. Kaufman, Nick, I’ve accomplished my obligation, and I’ve left my legacy. Go to courtroom and do your job, however I can now not allow you to. I now not keep in mind a lot in any respect,” Duterte supposedly advised his lawyer.
The prosecution’s trial lawyer, Julian Nicholls, shortly requested to strike that half off the courtroom’s information, saying Kaufman can not testify on behalf of Duterte.
“[Duterte] might have come right here and talked about no matter he needed to, however he selected to not,” stated Nicholls.
Listed here are the highlights of the fourth and closing day of Duterte’s pre-trial proceedings.
Rumour?
In his closing statements, Kaufman highlighted that, of the 49 incidents within the prosecution’s prices, solely in two incidents had there been a witness to deduce Duterte’s direct involvement.
One is Incident 1 of the costs, involving three killings by the Davao Dying Squad. The prosecution has an insider witness “who heard Mr. Duterte on the cellphone, who heard that the order got here from ‘Superman,’ his consumer’s codename and nickname,” trial lawyer Julian Nicholls advised the courtroom.
The title of this witness remains to be a secret.
Kaufman stated, citing information, that the witness wasn’t truly the particular person on the opposite finish of that supposed cellphone name. It was one other particular person, a 3rd celebration. When the witness requested who was on the opposite aspect of the decision, the third celebration stated it was ‘Superman’ (or Duterte).
“So, I repeat my submission with much more emphasis: pure, unadulterated, and undiluted rumour,” stated Kaufman.
There’s one other prosecution witness, this time involving the killing of former Albuera Metropolis, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa whereas he was detained. He was killed in November 2016 by law enforcement officials imposing a search warrant on his detention cell to supposedly seize weapons.
Kaufman revealed that the prosecution has a witness “who claimed to have heard however admitted to not have seen something.” The title of the witness remains to be additionally a secret. Nevertheless, a former prisoner has testified to the Home of Representatives quad committee in 2025 that he heard Espinosa plead with the cops earlier than he was killed. One other quad committee witness, a jail guard, stated they have been all made to “face the wall.”
“There’s nothing within the prosecution’s proof to contradict the choice idea proposed for this incident, which is that there was a firefight between the victims and the officers within the police station Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail,” stated Kaufman.
To that, Nicholls reiterated why they believed that “neutralize” in all the Duterte-sanctioned circulars and memoranda meant to kill. Espinosa had been on Duterte’s checklist, which Kaufman stated was not a kill checklist however a prioritization checklist on who to hunt to make sure public security.
“These victims have been famous neutralized on the checklist, not on the day they’re arrested, not on the day they go to jail. They’re marked neutralized on the times they’re killed. So, they have been neutralized on the time they have been murdered, per Mr. Duterte’s authorities at the moment,” stated Nicholls.
Additionally on Rappler
Are there substantial grounds to consider?
How substantial is substantial to maneuver this case to trial? In ICC case regulation, the prosecution “should supply concrete and tangible proof demonstrating a transparent line of reasoning underpinning particular allegations.”
Kaufman stated the prosecution’s proof up to now has not met that normal.
“Layered rumour, conjecture over reliance on confederate proof with provides of digital immunity on the ICC, contradicting statements between members in against the law, absolute lack of any linkage in any way to Mr. Rodrigo Duterte, and a complete lack of help for an alleged crime each within the documentary and forensic report,” stated Kaufman.
The prosecution stated that at trial, they’ll present that Kaufman’s official authorities information are falsified, and that judges ought to listen to witnesses cross-examined on their testimonies.
Nicholls selected to finish his closing assertion by as soon as once more taking part in a video of Duterte, his final public speech to migrant Filipinos in Hong Kong days earlier than he was arrested and dropped at The Hague.
In that speech, Duterte asks, “They are saying I did it?” and makes a throat-slashing gesture, suggesting a kill. The group laughed and cheered. “Assuming totoo, totoo talaga naririnig ninyo, bakit ko ginawa ‘yan? Para sa sarili ko? Para sa pamilya ko? Para sa inyo at ang inyong mga anak.”
(Assuming it’s true, and it’s actually true what you heard, why did I do it? Is it for myself? Is it for my household? It’s for you and your kids.)
The speech goes on to point out Duterte making his closing want if he’s ever jailed within the ICC: that’s, when he comes dwelling, a monument is erected for him, not holding a ebook just like the nationwide hero Jose Rizal, however holding a gun.
“He’s simply taking credit score for killing his personal individuals,” stated Nicholls.
“He should reply for the useless. The victims demand it. Justice calls for it. And for functions of affirmation, the proof calls for it. We’ve got confirmed it to the extent for this to be certain over for trial,” stated Nicholls. – Rappler.com
