ICC prosecution neutral on Duterte's request vs drug war legal team

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecution is taking no position on former president Rodrigo Duterte's request to the Chamber to disqualify three lawyers representing drug war victims in the crime against humanity case against him.

This is based on a three-page document signed by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang dated February 16.

“Pursuant to the Chamber’s order, the Prosecution informs the Chamber that it takes no position on the ‘Defence Request for the Disqualification of the External Legal Representatives for the Victims,’” the document read.

“Should it assist the Chamber in considering the Defence’s request, the Prosecution confirms that it will not rely on [REDACTED] for the confirmation of charges hearing. The Prosecution also does not intend to rely on [REDACTED] at trial,” it added.

On February 11, Duterte asked the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I to order the ICC Registry to revoke the appointment of three common legal representatives for the victims of his administration's war on illegal drugs.

Duterte’s legal team also asked the Chamber to direct the Registry to suspend the access of lawyers Joel Butuyan, Gilbert Andres, and Nicolene Arcaina to the case record pending its decision.

The defense said they are seeking the lawyers’ disqualification on the grounds of an impediment to representation and on the basis of conflict of interest.

They claimed that Butuyan and Andres have a professional relationship with Arcaina, having worked with her at CenterLaw Philippines.

Due to this, the defense said they must be aware of a situation involving the lawyer, which was redacted in the document.

The former president is being investigated by the ICC for crimes against humanity that he allegedly committed during his administration’s deadly drug war.

He has been detained at the Scheveningen Detention Center in The Netherlands for nearly 11 months. The charges against Duterte will be confirmed during hearings on February 23, 24, 26, and 27. —KG, GMA Integrated News