Families of victims of extrajudicial killings during former President Duterte’s drug war expressed their willingness to appear before the ICC if needed during a press briefing in Quezon City on February 17, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have officially filed their final list of witnesses and evidence in the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The submission, originating from the Office of the Prosecutor on August 31, 2026, was formally submitted by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang under “Situation in the Republic of the Philippines in the Case of The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte”.
In compliance with directives issued by Trial Chamber III, the prosecution submitted a list of witnesses categorized as Annex A and a list of evidence designated as Annex B.
“Pursuant to the Chamber’s order, the Prosecution hereby submits its List of Witnesses, appended as Annex A, and its List of Evidence, appended as Annex B,” Deputy Prosecutor Niang stated in the filing.
While the main cover submission was made accessible as a public record, both annexes containing the witness registry and supporting evidence have been withheld from public disclosure.
“Pursuant to regulation 23bis(1) of the Regulations of the Court, Annexes A and B are filed as confidential as both include sensitive witness information,” the filing noted.
Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity for murder and attempted murder linked to his administration's anti-illegal drugs campaign. The charges cover operations carried out during his tenure as Mayor of Davao City (2013–2016) and as President of the Philippines (2016–2018).
ICC prosecutors previously indicated plans to present approximately 60 to 70 witnesses—including 31 insider witnesses and 17 crime-base witnesses—alongside thousands of evidentiary documents accumulated during the investigation.
The formal trial before Trial Chamber III is scheduled to open on November 30, 2026. The filing of the confidential witness and evidence lists marks one of the final major procedural deadlines prior to trial proceedings.
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