Duterte lawyer Bello says ICC prosecution ‘not convincing’

THE HAGUE — Former Labor Secretary and Duterte lawyer Silvestre Bello III said he remains unconvinced by the prosecution’s evidence against former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing accusations of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.

According to Bello, the prosecution spent the entire afternoon focusing on incidents in Davao City, without even discussing the figures related to those allegedly killed during the anti-drugs campaign or those who died from drug addiction.

“Hindi convincing,” he said.

Bello also reacted to a warning issued by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, who said he could face disbarment over his remarks about Duterte allegedly pushing a person out of a helicopter.

"[O]ne of the counsels, Silvestre Bello III, admitted that Duterte killed someone by throwing him out of a helicopter," Castro had said while she was criticizing Duterte counsel Nicholas Kaufman's opening statement.

She later added, "Sabi ni Silvestre Bello III, dapat daw hindi ako paniwalaan samantalang ang mga sinasabi ko ay nagmula sa kanyang bibig...mula sa kanyang pag-amin. Ipahanap kay Silvestre Bello III kung kinasuhan ba si Duterte sa pagpatay sa batang sinakay niya sa chopper. Hindi naman niya tinanggi na murderer si Duterte. Bilang siya ay isang lawyer, di ba dapat imbestigahan din iyon lalo ba ang sabi nya ay bata ang pinatay. Disbarment ang katapat nyan kung na tolerate nila ang ganitong krimen o baka nasa 'common plan' din sila."

(Silvestre Bello III said I should not be believed, even though what I was referring to came out of his own mouth, from his own admission. Ask Bello if Duterte was charged for the death of the youth whom he put on the chopper. He has not denied that Duterte is a murderer. Since he is a lawyer, shouldn't he have investigated that, especially since as he said it was a youth who died. Disbarment should be the result if he tolerated a crime like that, or maybe it's also in their 'common plan.')

In response, Bello said, “I was in Davao. We were told about that incident—to prevent an addict from killing the pilot, he had to be pushed. I did not witness it."

He added, “Let them do it. Baka siya ang ma-disbar [maybe she would be the one to be disbarred] for being a fan of falsehood.”

The ICC is currently holding the confirmation of charges in Duterte's case, in which he has been charged with three counts of crimes against humanity (murder and attempted murder) while implementing his anti-narcotics campaign in Davao City and as President. — BM, GMA Integrated News