Duterte's defense team to argue five hours at ICC

President Rodrigo Duterte's defense team expects to spend around five hours arguing his case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) during the confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for September.

Duterte's lawyers submitted a three-page document to Pre-Trial Chamber 1 on August 22, outlining their client's stance that he did not commit any criminal offense during his war on drugs.

The defense plans to spend 30 minutes each on opening and closing statements, with the main presentation focusing on legal issues such as modes of liability and contextual requirements for crimes against humanity.

Duterte and his supporters argue that the drug war was necessary for peace and order, while law enforcement agencies claim those killed had resisted arrest violently.

Under the Rome Statute, the Pre-Trial Chamber will determine if there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that Duterte committed each of the crimes charged.