The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that its investigation into former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity remains active, even as it prepares for the confirmation of charges set in September.
In a recent order dated April 17, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I noted that the Office of the Prosecutor “is continuing its investigation regarding Mr. [Duterte]” and “intends to review and disclose any new evidence collected during this investigation on a rolling basis.”
Despite the ongoing probe, the court assured that the investigation will not interfere with the disclosure process or the upcoming hearing. “For this reason, the prosecution shall conduct its investigative activities in a way that will not affect the disclosure process or the conduct of the confirmation of charges proceedings and hearing,” the chamber stated.
The former president, who was arrested on March 11 upon his return from Hong Kong, faces charges linked to his administration’s deadly war on drugs. While the Philippines has withdrawn from the ICC, the arrest was made through coordination with Interpol, under international obligations.
The prosecution intends to present two live witnesses during the confirmation hearing. So far, Duterte’s legal team has been provided with 2,787 pages of documentation and over five hours of audio-visual material. In total, the ICC has gathered more than 129,000 items—over 160,000 pages—across its investigation databases.
Should the ongoing probe potentially disrupt the current disclosure schedule, the court emphasized that the prosecutor “shall immediately inform the chamber and, to the extent possible, the parties and participants.”
