ICC urges drug war victims to submit views, concerns in Duterte’s case

Metro Manila, Philippines - The International Criminal Court (ICC) has urged drug war victims to submit their views and concerns relating to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s murder charges.

According to the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), the ICC is now taking its initial steps to organize the participation of drug war victims’ families in the case against Duterte.

“The time prior to the confirmation of charges is a time for discovery and disclosure of evidence,” NUPL said in a statement.

“Victims can participate in the trial by serving as a witness, or by submitting views and concerns, or both. Their non-participation does not automatically result in the dropping of charges - so the call for some for the victims to ‘withdraw the case’ is senseless,” it added.

The NUPL said it is awaiting further instructions from the ICC and the victims’ section in the registry for guidelines.

The group said victims will be required to submit the following documents:

- a signed application to participate

- a statement of the victimhood

- identification documents

- proof of kinship to the victim of the killing

- other related information or documents

Duterte is currently detained at The Hague on 43 charges of murder under crimes against humanity. He is set to face the ICC chamber again on Sept. 23 for the confirmation of charges.