THE International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a sweeping procedural order that narrows the scope of evidence and outlines a firm timeline for the confirmation of charges proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte, signaling a clear intent to avoid what it called a "mini-trial" before trial. By July 4, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) is expected to file a concise, 30-page Document Containing the Charges (DCC), supported by a 90-page Pre-Confirmation Brief. In a public redacted filing, the OTP requested a six- to eight-week extension beyond the March 21, 2025 deadline, citing ongoing witness security assessments coordinated with the court's Victims and Witnesses Section. The trove includes government memos, policy papers, photographs, and over 15 hours of audio-visual material — all pointing, according to the prosecution, to a state-directed campaign of violence in the name of drug control. The Chamber expressed caution, noting that while protecting the interests of victim applicants is crucial, it would be too early to allow lawyers whom applicants had previously appointed to participate before the common legal representation is established. Read Full Story
