By 
Alyssa Almonte
Katrina Bolovtsova, February 15, 2020
While former President Rodrigo Duterte’s detention at the International Criminal Court sparks protests, legal proceedings continue, with the prosecution submitting its initial set of evidence.
Amid the ongoing proceedings surrounding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and detention by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity related to his controversial war on drugs campaign, numerous groups of Duterte’s supporters have staged rallies demanding his immediate release. These protests have been particularly vocal outside the ICC, where demonstrators have chanted calls for Duterte’s return to the Philippines, alleging that his arrest amounts to kidnapping and illegal detention.
However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has stated that the Philippine government adhered to due process when it executed the ICC’s arrest warrant on March 11th 2025. According to the DOJ, the arrest was carried out in a “gentle, quiet, and not forced” fashion. Nevertheless, Senator Imee Marcos, the sister of current Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has announced that the Senate will conduct an urgent investigation into the legal grounds for Duterte’s arrest.
As the confirmation of the charges hearing draws nearer, the ICC has outlined clear procedural deadlines for both the prosecution and the defense. The prosecution is required to submit all evidence—both written and non-written—by April 4th 2025. This evidence includes a comprehensive listing of documentation, photos, videos, and audio recordings, along with their original language and any available translations or transcripts. The prosecution must also identify witnesses who will testify during the hearing and, if applicable, request protective measures for victims or other individuals at risk. In turn, the defense team has until April 11th 2025, to submit its counter-evidence.
In a significant development, the prosecution team delivered its first set of evidence to Duterte’s defense team on March 24th 2025, marking a critical step in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Sources and Further Readings:
Al Jazeera. (2025, March 17). Philippines Senate launches investigation into Duterte’s ICC arrest. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/17/philippines-senate-launches-investigation-into-dutertes-icc-arrest.
Calimbahin, C. (2025, March 21). Polarized Opinion: The Arrest of Duterte. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2025/03/polarized-opinion-the-arrest-of-duterte?lang=en.
Dizon, D. (2025, March 26). Prosecutors send first set of evidence to Duterte defense. ABS-CBN News. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/26/prosecutors-send-first-set-of-evidence-to-duterte-defense-team-0921.
Dizon, D. (2025, March 13). “Marahan, tahimik, hindi pinuwersa”: DOJ says Duterte arrest followed due process. ABS-CBN News. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/13/-marahan-tahimik-hindi-pinuwersa-doj-says-duterte-arrest-followed-due-process-0902.
Oliquino, E. (2025, March 24). ICC orders up evidence ahead of Duterte trial. Daily Tribune.https://tribune.net.ph/2025/03/24/icc-orders-up-evidence-ahead-of-duterte-trial.
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