ICC prosecutors seek admission of 3 more recorded testimonies vs Rodrigo Duterte

The prosecution panel in the crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte has asked the International Criminal Court to admit the recorded testimonies of three more witnesses.

In a 12-page application, the Office of the Prosecutor said granting the request will expedite the proceedings by reducing the length of the witnesses' direct examination.

It added that the prior recorded testimonies of witnesses P-0008, P-1164, and P-1303 are relevant, reliable, and probative.

"The Three Witnesses’ evidence further goes to the proof of the contextual elements of crimes against humanity and to the policy to ‘neutralise’ through violent crimes, including murder, alleged criminals in the Philippines," it said.

It further said that "the introduction into evidence of the Prior Recorded Testimonies is not prejudicial to or inconsistent with the rights of the Accused, as the witnesses will be available for cross-examination by the Defence and any further questioning by the Chamber, the parties, and the Common Legal Representatives of Victims."

The prosecution said it obtained the recorded testimonies of the three witnesses during the investigation, when they were interviewed.

It added that the three were informed of the voluntary nature of their interviews and of their rights.

"At the conclusion of the interviews, the witnesses confirmed that they answered the questions of their own free will and had no complaints about the way the interview was conducted," it said.

The document was signed by acting prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang.

Duterte is detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands. His trial is scheduled for November 30.

The drug war saw at least 6,000 people dead, with rights groups believing that the number could be as high as 30,000. —AOL, GMA News