ICC OKs redactions in Duterte hearing's live broadcast due to identifying info

There were redactions in the live broadcast for the third day of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing due to his team’s disclosure of information that could lead to the identification of victims and witnesses, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber I said.

“The chamber has decided to maintain the redactions that were applied earlier and reminds the defense not to disclose information that may not be necessary,” Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc said.

According to Motoc, the ICC prosecution requested the redactions, a motion that the defense opposed.

“The defense disclosed information on several occasions that allowed for the identification of victims and witnesses. For example, positions held and nicknames – things that must not be disclosed,” she said.

“So as to ensure the protection of witnesses and victims, the redactions are only to do with identifying information and… were not general redactions to the events within the case,” Motoc added.

The ICC chamber’s presiding judge said this is the appropriate recourse to protect the safety and well-being, including the psychological well-being, dignity, and the privacy of victims and witnesses.

Motoc recalled that the Pre-Trial Chamber I previously stressed that it is up to the parties and participants to ensure that their submissions are worded to avoid going into close sessions.

She also reminded all parties to comply with the instructions.

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 of the Philippines.

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 the 80-year-old Duterte was “wholly insufficient.”

In previous hearings of the ICC chamber, the ICC prosecutors named Duterte’s co-perpetrators in his anti-narcotics campaign and their alleged roles in the “common plan” to neutralize alleged criminals through the war on illegal drugs.

The prosecution also read the charges against Duterte as outlined in the Document Containing the Charges (DCC) that was previously publicized by the ICC.

On Tuesday, the ICC prosecution also cited the killings of then Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, and 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos.

They also presented Duterte’s so-called “narco-list” of suspected drug personalities and excerpts of Duterte’s speeches in which he promised to back up and promote state forces if they kill criminals.

The final hearing for the confirmation of charges will be held on February 27, Friday. 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