The prosecution at the International Criminal Court has asked judges to admit the pre-recorded testimonies of eight more witnesses, saying their evidence would challenge police claims of self-defense and establish the rise in drug-related killings under former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The requests were contained in three separate applications filed with Trial Chamber III and signed by acting Prosecutor Maame Mandaye Niang.
The earliest application, dated Nov. 3, covered three witnesses identified as P-0004, P-0014 and P-1371. Their testimonies would help establish the pattern of violence employed by the Philippine National Police and non-police assets against alleged criminals, prosecutors said.
Rising toll
Two other witnesses, P-0025 and P-1382, were covered by an application filed on Nov. 4. They allegedly have evidence showing an increase in drug-related killings during Duterte’s presidency and cases that contradict police claims of self-defense.
Expert findings
In a separate application, prosecutors sought to introduce reports and statements from three expert witnesses identified as P-1071, P-1078 and P-1162.
The contents of the joint expert report prepared by P-1071 and P-1078 were redacted in the filing.
P-1162, meanwhile, examined the use of deadly force by PNP personnel, particularly in Bulacan. The expert’s findings suggest that most police encounters were “staged to mask targeted killings,” reflecting a systemic practice of extrajudicial executions rather than legitimate law enforcement, prosecutors said.
Further questioning
Aside from seeking admission of the testimonies and related materials, prosecutors asked the chamber for additional time to pose supplementary questions to each witness during the trial. The number of hours requested was redacted from the filings.
The defense, the trial chamber and the legal representatives of victims would also be given the opportunity to question the witnesses when they testify, prosecutors said.
Duterte faces three counts of murder as crimes against humanity over killings linked to his war on drugs. His trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 30.
