'Neutralization' means arrest, not killing, says Duterte lawyerMANILA, Philippines — Rodrigo Duterte's lawyer Nicholas Kaufman told International Criminal Court judges that the term "neutralization" in police manuals refers to lawful arrest or restraint, not the killing of drug suspects. "This may include an arrest, capture, surrender or other acts to subdue the suspect," he said during the defense presentation before the ICC. Response to prosecutionKaufman's argument responded to prosecutors' claim that "neutralization" was used in law enforcement playbooks as a standard term tied to the targeting of alleged drug suspects. HRW has said the term may refer either to arrests or to the killing of suspects. The confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether there are substantial grounds to send Duterte to trial.

Source: Philippine Star February 26, 2026 15:11 UTC