The prosecution at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has asked the Trial Chamber III to admit the previously recorded testimonies of three additional witnesses in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a 12-page application, the Office of the Prosecutor said admitting the testimonies of witnesses P-0008, P-1164 and P-1303 would expedite proceedings by shortening their direct examinations.
“The Three Witnesses’ evidence further goes to the proof of the contextual elements of crimes against humanity and to the policy to ‘neutralise’ through violent crimes, including murder, alleged criminals in the Philippines,” the prosecution said.
It maintained that admitting the testimonies would not prejudice Duterte’s rights, as the witnesses would remain available for cross-examination by the defense and questioning by the Chamber and other parties.
The prosecution said the witnesses voluntarily participated in their investigative interviews and confirmed they had no complaints about how the interviews were conducted. The application was signed by Acting Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang.
Duterte remains detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, with his trial scheduled to begin on November 30.
