PhilStarGlobal-Feb 24
Prosecutors wasted no time in presenting evidence, witness testimonies and interview records on the first day of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing at the International Criminal Court (ICC). After the prosecution, the victims’ legal representatives, and the defense delivered their opening statements on Monday, February 23, Senior Trial Lawyer Julian Nicholls of the prosecution began submitting evidence in support of the case before the Pre-Trial Chamber I. In his presentation on the merits, Nicholls detailed evidence he argued establishes that Duterte founded the Davao Death Squad (DDS), implemented the “Davao Model,” and publicly recognized his role. This model, he said, demonstrates a “chain of command” that begins with Duterte and extends to alleged co-perpetrators, DDS handlers, and down to the very members who carried out the killings.
Mr. Duterte created liquidation squads, death squads made up of both Davao City police officers as well as non-police officers who essentially hired hitmen and hired killers,” he said. “The Davao Model was murder, not being tough on crime legally as my friend (Kaufman) said,” Nicholls added. For the first time in the ICC proceedings, the prosecution unveiled a slide listing five individuals described as co-perpetrators in Duterte’s anti-crime drive in Davao City, including Sens. While the specific allegations against the five were not detailed during the first hearing, the slide was presented primarily as an introductory overview of the network Duterte established when he was mayor. Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity for murder and attempted murder, covering 49 incidents and at least 76 victims during his tenure as Davao City mayor and later as president. Read more at: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/02/24/2510145/what-evidence-did-icc-prosecution-present-vs-duterte-day-1
