An International Criminal Court (ICC) lawyer pushed back against claims by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, saying the tribunal does not coerce witnesses or fabricate affidavits in its investigation into the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
Kristina Conti, an ICC-accredited assistant to counsel, clarified in an interview with GMA’s 24 Oras Weekend that all procedures at the ICC are “very transparent,” noting that witness testimonies are conducted under strict regulations and are recorded on video. She emphasized that key witnesses are required to appear personally before the court to give testimony.
Her statement comes after Dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief during Duterte’s war on drugs, accused ICC investigators of pressuring ex-police officials in the Philippines to provide affidavits against him and the former president.
Dela Rosa, who recently secured another term in the Senate under the Duterte-led PDP-Laban slate, said he intends to conduct a Senate probe into the alleged misconduct. He has previously described himself as the “number two accused” in the ICC’s case and filed a petition with the Supreme Court questioning Duterte’s arrest.
The ICC has launched a formal investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s drug crackdown, citing thousands of deaths tied to police operations. While official records list around 6,000 fatalities, rights groups estimate the number could be as high as 30,000, including deaths attributed to vigilante-style executions.
Former President Duterte, who has repeatedly claimed full responsibility for the anti-drug campaign’s outcomes, was transferred to The Hague in March. His legal team, led by attorney Nicholas Kaufman, has argued that Duterte is being “illegally detained” and called for his immediate repatriation.
