ICC prosecutor likely to find evidence for Duterte drug war crimes

A crimes against humanity expert expressed confidence that the policy element will not pose a significant challenge for prosecutors in the confirmation of charges hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Professor Leila Sadat, director of Washington University's Crimes Against Humanity Initiative and former Special Adviser to the ICC Prosecutor, shared her insights with Rappler, emphasizing that the prosecutor will likely find it easy to establish evidence of a pattern and intent behind Duterte's drug war killings.

Sadat noted that Duterte's public statements and testimonies under oath provide clear evidence of his involvement in promoting unlawful killings, which prosecutors can use against him.

The expert also disagreed with Duterte's defense team on the issue of jurisdiction, asserting that any ICC investigation initiated while the Philippines was a member state should remain valid even after withdrawal.