ICC Registry notifies chamber on appointment of victims' lawyers

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Registry has notified the Pre-Trial Chamber I on the appointment of legal representatives for the victims in former President Rodrigo Duterte's crimes against humanity case over his war on drugs.

"The Registry hereby files in the record of the case, the letters acknowledging appointment of legal representatives of victims," it said in a four-page document dated February 4.

"The Registry further submits the solemn undertakings executed by the counsels as required," it added.

In January, the ICC appointed ICC-accredited lawyers Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres to represent the victims of the drug war.

This was opposed by the former president's camp, accusing Butuyan and Andres of "judicial trolling."

In denying this, the Pre-Trial chamber said majority of the applicants wish to be represented by Butuyan and Andres. It also noted that both are eligible to be appointed as legal representatives of the victims. — VDV, GMA Integrated News