ICC postpones Duterte's confirmation of charges hearing

Former President Rodrigo Duterte's scheduled hearing at the International Criminal Court on Sept. 23 has been postponed, the tribunal announced on Monday.

According to the ICC, the Pre-Trial Chamber I announced that the confirmation of charges hearing was postponed after the latter’s camp said that he was “not fit to stand trial.” 

“Following a request from the Defence of Mr Duterte for an indefinite adjournment of the proceedings alleging that Mr Duterte is not fit to stand trial, the majority of the Chamber considered that a limited postponement of the hearing on the confirmation of charges was warranted to allow sufficient time to adjudicate the request and related matters,” the ICC said in a press statement. 

“The Chamber will, if applicable, set a specific date once it has addressed such outstanding matters.”

Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera dissented from the decision by Presiding Judge Iulia Motoc, and Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou.

Duterte is currently detained at the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison on charges of crimes against humanity in relation to his administration’s drug war, which killed over 6,000 drug suspects in police operations per government records.

But human rights organizations estimate the death toll may have reached 30,000 due to unreported incidents. 

The ICC Prosecutor has submitted so far 12 batches of evidence, each containing items that range from hundreds to thousands.

More than 300 drug war victims have also applied to participate in the case.

 “The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged,” the ICC said. 

“If one or more of the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.” –NB, GMA Integrated News