00:00The International Criminal Court has confirmed all charges against former President Rodrigo
00:04Duterte clearing a way for a full trial over alleged crimes against humanity linked to
00:10his administration's anti-drug campaign.
00:12In a 50-page decision dated April 23rd, the ICC Pretrial Chamber 1 ruled that there are
00:18substantial grounds to believe that Duterte committed the crimes charged, thereby committing
00:23the case to trial.
00:24The ruling came a day after the ICC Appeals Chamber upheld the court's jurisdiction over
00:30the case.
00:31The charges center on allegations of crimes against humanity, particularly murder and attempted
00:36murder, purportedly committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilians during
00:42the anti-drug campaign.
00:43Prosecutors presented several incidents and victims, which the chamber described as part
00:48of a broader pattern of alleged killings.
00:50It noted that the cited incidents represent only a non-exhaustive list, indicating that
00:55the scale of the alleged crimes may extend beyond those specifically identified.
01:00According to the prosecution, Duterte played a central role in the alleged campaign, both
01:06during his tenure as Davao city mayor and later as president.
01:09He was described as being at the apex of a structure that carried out the supposed widespread
01:14attack.
01:15The chamber stated that Duterte may be held liable under multiple modes of responsibility,
01:21including indirect co-perpetration, ordering or inducing crimes, as well as aiding or abetting
01:26their commission.
01:27However, the pretrial chamber emphasized that the confirmation of charges does not constitute
01:33a finding of guilt.
01:34At this stage, the standard is not proof beyond reasonable doubt, but whether there is sufficient
01:39evidence to establish substantial grounds for the case to proceed.
01:42The primary purpose of the confirmation proceedings is to decide whether the case is sufficiently
01:48established to warrant a trial, the chamber said, adding that the evidence must go beyond
01:53mere theory or suspicion.
01:55The ICC clarified that final determinations on Duterte's liability, including the assessment
02:01of witness credibility and the weight of evidence, will be made by the trial chamber during
02:05the full proceedings.
Comments