THE HAGUE: Rodrigo Duterte personally authorized murders and hand-picked some of the victims of his “war on drugs,” the International Criminal Court heard on Monday, as proceedings against the former Philippines president kicked off.
ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said the week-long “confirmation of charges” hearings, where judges will decide whether to open a full trial against Duterte, was “a reminder that those in power are not above the law.”
The 80-year-old Duterte did not appear after the court granted a defense request for his absence, despite judges ruling he was fit to take part.
Following the hearings, the judges will have 60 days to issue a written decision on whether he should face a full trial.
Niang said Duterte played a “pivotal” role in the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users, first as mayor of Davao City then as president.
