Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have asked Trial Chamber III to admit the previously recorded testimonies of five witnesses as evidence in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to shorten their direct examinations and expedite proceedings.

In a 12-page filing, dated October 16, under Rule 68(3) of the court’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the prosecution requested the admission of statements and related documents from witnesses identified as P-1087, P-1151, P-1158, P-1161 and P-1204.

“Granting the request will enhance the expeditiousness of the proceedings,” the prosecution said, adding that the move would save court time by reducing the length of direct examinations. The specific number of hours was redacted in the filing.

The prosecution argued that the witnesses’ prior recorded testimonies were relevant, reliable and probative, saying their evidence relates to the alleged policy of neutralizing suspected criminals in the Philippines through violent crimes, including murder.

The filing also cited additional evidentiary value in the testimony of P-1151, although details were redacted.

Prosecutors maintained that admitting the prior testimonies would not prejudice Duterte’s rights because all five witnesses would remain available for cross-examination by the defense.

The witnesses could also be questioned further by the chamber, the parties and the Common Legal Representatives of Victims, the prosecution said.

The filing noted that while Rule 68(3) does not expressly require prior recorded testimony to meet a separate threshold of sufficient indicia of reliability, such indicators remain relevant in assessing the evidence’s reliability and probative value.

The request remains subject to the chamber’s decision.