ICC extends deadline for disclosure of witnesses in Duterte case

Metro Manila, Philippines - The International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber 1 has granted the prosecution’s request to extend the deadline for the identity of witnesses and disclosure of arrest warrant materials in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s case.

In a decision dated May 20, chamber judges set new dates for the submission of the documents and noted that Duterte’s lawyers did not oppose the prosecution’s request.

"The Chamber considers that good cause is shown, within the meaning of regulation 35 of the Regulations, to grant an extension of the relevant time limits," it said.

ICC set a June 16 deadline of applications for redactions of witnesses’ identities or non-disclosure of entire items of evidence and the victims and witnesses unit’s observations on the applications.

The chamber initially set the deadline for “materials underlying the warrant of arrest" by March 21 and was moved to May 9. The deadline for applications to withhold the identity of witnesses was previously set for May 23. ]

The recent decision stated that “any responses” to these submissions should be submitted before June 20.

The prosecution should also be able to complete the disclosure of the arrest warrant materials related to witnesses on July 1.

Duterte was arrested on March 11 and turned over to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.

On the new deadline, the prosecution sent a new set of documents linked to the arrest warrant but also requested to disclose more materials.

Duterte's confirmation hearing for charges of crimes against humanity for murder over his bloody drug war is set for Sept. 23.