Garma to be ICC witness vs Duterte

Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that retired police colonel Royina Garma will be a prosecution witness for the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Garma has traveled to Malaysia to meet with ICC representatives and may appear at the confirmation of charges hearing in The Hague.

Remulla stated that the government is providing witness protection for Garma, noting that her life could be in danger in the Philippines.

However, Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte's lead legal counsel, described Garma's potential testimony as a political move against the former president.

Kaufman criticized Remulla for revealing Garma as a potential witness, calling it a broadcast of the ICC Prosecution's proposed witnesses and methodology.

He contrasted this with the defense's inability to comment on prosecution evidence and witnesses in the media.