Rodrigo Duterte’s former chief presidential legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, on Tuesday said many of the former president’s controversial statements about his administration’s anti-drug campaign were exaggerated and should not be taken literally, as the International Criminal Court (ICC) began confirmation of charges proceedings in his crimes against humanity case.

Panelo, one of six Filipino lawyers sent by the Duterte family to The Hague, Netherlands, said the prosecution’s presentation appeared to treat all of Duterte’s past remarks as factual admissions.

“Doon ako natatawa kasi ‘yung mga presentasyon na ‘yun ay parang ipinapakita nila na lahat ng mga sinabi ni [dating] presidente Duterte ay may bahid lahat ng katotohanan (I find that amusing because those presentations make it seem like everything former President Duterte said had some element of truth),” Panelo said in a radio interview.

He added that, as explained by the defense, most of the statements cited were “hyperbole” and part of Duterte’s distinctive speaking style.

According to Panelo, Duterte’s tough rhetoric was meant to instill fear in criminals rather than serve as literal directives.

“Ganoon ang kanyang istilo, bluster, kung tinatawag at ‘yun ay ginagamit niya lang upang takutin ‘yung mga kriminal (That’s his style, bluster—what to be called and he was using it to scare criminals),” he said, describing the former president’s language as deliberate exaggeration aimed at deterring crime.

During the first day of the confirmation of charges hearing, Duterte’s lead counsel, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, argued that the former president’s speeches had become “fertile fodder” for critics, including privately funded non-governmental organizations and human rights activists. Kaufman said the defense had identified other speeches that contradicted those cited by prosecutors to support allegations that Duterte incited killings.

Panelo echoed this point, saying critics misunderstood Duterte’s use of the word “kill.”

“Ang problema ho sa kanila at ‘yung mga hindi nakakaintindi sa istilo ng pananalita ni [dating] presidente Duterte eh literal nilang kinukuha ‘yung salitang ‘kill (The problem with them and with those who do not understand former president Duterte’s speaking style is that they take the word kill literally),’” Panelo said.

He maintained that Duterte used the term figuratively, to convey that law enforcement would relentlessly pursue criminals, prosecute them, and ensure their imprisonment.

Duterte was arrested in the Philippines on March 11, 2025, based on a warrant issued by the ICC.

He is currently detained in The Hague, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity in connection with alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

The ICC’s confirmation of charges hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.