Victims' applications for participation in Duterte case transmitted to ICC pre-trial chamber

The applications of 15 drug war victims to participate in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte have been transmitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I.

The ICC Registry transmitted the applications on August 27, a document posted on the ICC website showed. 

The registry said the applications were assessed by its Victims Participation and Reparations Section.

Fifteen applications were classified as under Group A, while 10 applications were placed under Group B.

Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity at the ICC for the his deadly war on drugs when he was mayor of Davao City and when he was president of the Philippines.

He was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11 and brought to The Hague, Netherlands to face the charges.

He is currently detained at the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague. 

Duterte first faced the ICC via video link on March 14. The court read to him the charges filed against him and informed him of his rights under the Rome Statute. 

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I set the hearing on the confirmation of charges against Duterte on September 23.

A total of 303 drug war victims sought to participate in the pre-trial proceedings against Duterte before the ICC. 

Drug war victims can still apply to participate while Duterte's trial is ongoing before the ICC, Atty. Joel Butuyan, an ICC-accredited lawyer, said. —KG, GMA Integrated News