Duterte's defense: Prosecution witnesses ‘unreliable,’ ‘self-confessed murderers’Families of victims in extrajudicial killings of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's drug war watch a live stream of Duterte's confirmation hearing from The Hague, in Quezon City, Metro Manila on February 26, 2026. MANILA, Philippines — Detained Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, challenged the credibility of the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecution’s witnesses against the former president. Kaufman raised serious concerns regarding how the witnesses were recruited, alleging political motivation behind their appearances. Neither the Rome Statute, nor its accompanying texts, regulate the way statements of limited use are employed. The defense, prosecution, and the representatives of the victims will make their closing statements.

Source: Philippine Star February 27, 2026 07:42 UTC