00:01The International Criminal Court has formally opened its confirmation of charges hearing
00:06against former President Rodrigo Duterte started on Monday, February 23rd.
00:13The hearing shall determine whether there is sufficient evidence
00:17to establish substantial grounds to believe that Duterte committed the crimes charged
00:22and whether the case should proceed to a full trial.
00:26On the first day of the hearing, Deputy Persecutor Mami Manjaya Niang said the opening of the hearing
00:31marks a significant moment for international justice and for the people of the Philippines.
00:37He maintained that there are substantial grounds to hold Duterte criminally responsible
00:42based on alleged acts committed during his tenure as mayor of Davao City and later as president.
00:49Niang referred to the alleged killings carried out by members of the Davao Death Squad
00:54which the persecution said were done under the personal order or approval of the former mayor.
01:00He added that this practice later expanded nationwide with witnesses testifying that police killings
01:06were driven by promises of money, promotions, rewards and immunity.
01:12At first, they were committed in and around Davao City where Mr. Duterte was a mayor
01:21and then expanded across the rest of the Philippines when he became president.
01:29Mr. Duterte is charged with 49 incidents of murder and attempted murder of 78 victims, including killers.
01:43Victims' lawyer Joel Botuyan speaking for 497 victims said many continue to live in fear and face harassment.
01:51He warned that Duterte's return to the Philippines could further strengthen a narrative portraying him as a conquering hero.
01:58We convey the views and concerns of the 497 victims authorized to participate in these proceedings.
02:08For the defense, lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman argued that Duterte's strong and provocative statements
02:13are not sufficient to establish criminal liability for deaths linked to the war on drugs.
02:19The defense also reiterated its claim that Duterte was unconstitutionally and unceremoniously brought to The Hague.
02:32And when called upon to defend his master's actions on the said letter at a Senate committee hearing,
02:40the then Secretary for Justice, once again Mr. Jesus Crispin Remula, persisted with the same dishonest theme.
02:49The second day of the hearing marked the prosecution stating that Duterte acted as a co-perpetrator of crimes against
02:56humanity alongside eight others,
02:59including Senators Bongo and Ronald Bato de la Rosa, as well as former senior officials from the police and the
03:06justice sector.
03:08Prosecution lawyer Robin Croft claimed that the co-perpetrators created a common plan to neutralize alleged criminals through violent crimes.
03:17Additionally, trial lawyer Edward Jeremy argued that Duterte was not joking, citing the former president's own words,
03:24when he boastfully said that funeral homes would make a lot of money from his war on drugs,
03:29telling the police to hurry up a little if their business declines.
03:34And during an earlier part of the same speech, Mr. Duterte also boasted that during his presidency,
03:42funeral homes would make a lot of money.
03:46Sabihin ko sa inyo, itong mga panahon, itong mga araw na dadating,
03:51kung may punerariya ho kayo, kikita kayo ng husto.
03:55Sabihin ko yung mga small time na punerariya dito doon,
04:01at sigurado hindi kayo malugi.
04:04At pag humihina na ang negosyo ninyo,
04:09sabihin ko lang sa mga polis,
04:12bilis-bilisan ninyo ng konti para kumita yung tao sa negosyo nila.
04:20Lawyers representing the victims also described the war on illegal drugs as a brutal campaign marked by impunity
04:26and a systemic disregard for the rule of law,
04:29which they said disproportionately affected the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable.
04:35Principal Counsel of the Independent Office of Public Counsel for Victims, Paulina Masida,
04:41said that the strategy and tactics used during the anti-drug war campaign
04:45are structured and demonstrate a systemic attack.
04:49The confirmation of charges hearing will resume tomorrow, Thursday, February 26,
04:55until Friday, February 27.
04:57We'll see you then.
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