ICC CONFIRMS CHARGES VS DUTERTE

FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial for crimes against humanity after judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday confirmed all charges linked to thousands of killings under his administration.

The killing reportedly occurred when he was mayor of Davao City and when he was President of the Philippines.

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I committed Duterte to face trial on the charges as confirmed, and ordered the court registrar to transmit the decision confirmation of charges and the record of the proceedings.

The decision to confirm the charges came a day after the Appeals Chamber denied Duterte’s appeal of the ICC’s jurisdiction over his cases, which his defense lawyer questioned.

Meanwhile, Malacañang on Thursday said it respects the ruling of the International Criminal Court (ICC) that confirmed all charges of crimes against humanity against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a statement, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro underscored the pursuit of justice for all parties involved, where accountability and due process are essential for both the accused and the victims.

“We respect the ruling of ICC that confirms all charges of crimes against humanity against former President Duterte,” Castro noted.

“Hustisya ang kailangang makuha sa mga kasong ito. Parehong partido ay makikinabang rito. Hustisya para sa akusado kung walang sala o hustisya rin sa mga biktima kung naabuso naman ang kanilang karapatan,” the Palace Press Officer added.

On April 23, the Pre-Trial Chamber I ruled that Duterte ran a state killing machine whose order to “neutralize” criminals ultimately meant one thing: to kill them.

The ruling commits Duterte to a full trial, the first for any Asian head of state at the court.