Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have cited the killings of teenager Kian Loyd delos Santos and former Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. as evidence challenging police claims of self-defense in the killings linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
In an application dated October 30 and made public on November 3, prosecutors asked the ICC to admit the previously recorded testimonies of two witnesses, identified as P-0025 and P-1382, into evidence.
The application, filed under Rule 68(3) of the ICC Rules of Procedure and Evidence, seeks to introduce the witnesses’ prior statements, transcripts and related materials into the court record.
According to the prosecution, the testimonies describe an increase in killings during Duterte’s presidency and point to inconsistencies between [REDACTED] and Philippine National Police (PNP) claims that officers acted in self-defense, the filing said.
The prosecution said the testimonies could help establish an alleged government policy of killing suspected criminals and show that the crimes were widespread or systematic — key elements in establishing crimes against humanity.
One witness, P-0025, also provided accounts related to victims. The killings cited include the death of 17-year-old Delos Santos, who was killed during a police anti-drug operation in Caloocan City on Aug. 16, 2017. Police initially claimed he fought back, but witness accounts and surveillance footage contradicted their version.
The prosecution also cited the July 30, 2017, police raids in Ozamiz City that killed Parojinog and members of his family. Police said the operation involved the service of search warrants for suspected illegal drugs and firearms.
Prosecutors described the two witnesses’ testimonies as consistent, supported by documents and corroborated by other evidence.
They argued that admitting the testimonies would not violate Duterte’s rights because his defense team would still be allowed to question the witnesses.
The defense was notified of the prosecution’s intention to call the witnesses since Aug. 31, 2026, giving it time to prepare for cross-examination, the filing said.
The ICC Trial Chamber has yet to rule on the prosecution’s application.
