Former president Rodrigo Duterte appeared in public for the first time on Wednesday, more than 18 months after he was detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March last year.
Duterte, dressed in a black suit and white shirt, attended the ICC Trial Chamber III’s third status conference on the crimes against humanity charges in relation to his campaign against illegal drugs in the Philippines.
Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, at the opening of the proceedings, noted his appearance before the court for the first time, saying he is permitted to leave the court at any time without seeking permission.
“This is the first time that Mr. Duterte has been in this court. As far as the trial chamber is concerned, if he wishes to leave for any reason, he may do so, Mr. Haynes, without permission being sought,” she said, addressing Duterte’s lead counsel Peter Haynes.
During the status conference, Korner asked the prosecution to consider reducing the number of its witnesses and its present 15,000 items of evidence, noting the need to “conclude the case as quickly as possible.”
ICC Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls said the prosecution seeks 193 hours to present its case based on its list of witnesses, but “will look for all opportunities to streamline” it.
He said among the exhibits the prosecution is looking to present are data sets on the “bottom number” of suspects killed during police operations related to the war on drugs.
The trial chamber is expected to resolve these matters in the next status conference.
Korner said the chamber intends to conduct the trial from Nov. 30 through Christmas break, and resume in January until March. (PNA)