The prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has asked Trial Chamber III to admit an expert report and previously recorded testimonies of three witnesses in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In separate filings dated Oct. 23, the prosecution requested the admission of the prior recorded testimonies of witnesses identified as P-1155, P-1156 and P-1157, as well as an expert report submitted by P-1400.
The prosecution said the three witnesses’ testimonies are relevant to the extrajudicial killing allegations under Count 3 of the charges against Duterte. Their accounts also concern the contextual elements of crimes against humanity and the alleged policy of neutralizing suspected criminals through violent crimes, including murder.
The requests were filed under Article 69 of the Rome Statute and Rule 68(3) of the ICC’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence.
The prosecution argued that admitting the previously recorded testimonies would help expedite proceedings by shortening the witnesses’ direct examinations. However, the estimated time savings were redacted in the nine-page filing.
In a separate six-page filing, the prosecution asked the chamber to admit P-1400’s expert report and allow a focused supplementary examination to clarify or elaborate on specific issues.
The prosecution said the request would reduce the expert’s direct examination from five hours to two hours, saving approximately three hours of court time. It also argued that the report falls within the expert’s field of expertise and would assist the chamber in deciding issues in the case.
The prosecution maintained that admitting the materials would not prejudice Duterte’s rights because all four witnesses would remain available for questioning.
The defense would be allowed to cross-examine the witnesses, while the judges, the parties and the common legal representatives of victims could also ask further questions.
The requests remain subject to the chamber’s decision.
Duterte currently faces charges of crimes against humanity, in connection with alleged extrajudicial killings linked to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
