Kaufman claims: Vigilante killings continued under Marcos admin

Nicholas Kaufman, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), on Thursday asked if anyone has thought of investigating President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as Kaufman claimed that the vigilante killings continued even after Duterte stepped down from office.  

“There is no reason to believe that Duterte’s disappearance from the political scene would have frustrated the ongoing incidents of murder at the hands of state agents or vigilantes,” Kaufman said.

He made the remarks during the defense’s submissions on the merits during the ICC’s continuation of the confirmation of charges hearings on Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity.

“Clearly, I’m forced to ask myself whether anyone on the other side of this room has thought of investigating the Marcos regime and the related phenomenon and holding someone accountable,” he added.

Kaufman cited a report of the Dahas Project by the University of the Philippines (UP), which showed that 160 out of 342 killings were at the hands of state agents during the first year of the Marcos administration.

He said this increased from 342 to 362 killings from July 2023 to June 2024. The report stated that state agents were responsible for 34% of the killings.

Kaufman questioned why the representatives of the drug war victims were not clamoring for accountability for the killings.

“Or is it of no consequence now that Mr. Duterte is sitting in the ICC detention center?” he asked.

GMA News Online has reached out to Malacañang for comment on Kaufman’s statements in court and will publish it once available.

READ: DAY IN COURT: ICC Hearings on the Charges vs. Duterte

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity for alleged murder and attempted murder during his time as Davao City mayor and later as President.

Kaufman previously expressed hope that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I will dismiss the charges and to give back the Filipino people “their Tatay Digong.” 

He also argued that the evidence against Duterte was “wholly insufficient.”

Meanwhile, the final hearing will be held on Friday, February 27. The defense, prosecution, and the representatives of the victims will make their closing statements. The ICC will also review the detention of Duterte. — JMA, GMA Integrated News