DU30’s presence required — ICC

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday warned former President Rodrigo Duterte’s camp that he will be mandated to attend his upcoming trial in person, starting 30 November, daily.

Trial Chamber III Presiding Judge Joana Korner issued the warning after the 81-year-old ex-leader skipped the fifth and final status conference before he stands trial for crimes against humanity tied to his bloody anti-narcotics campaign that killed thousands, mostly from poor communities.

“Mr. Duterte need not attend this morning, but once the actual trial starts, we will expect, as we said, attendance daily,” Korner told defense counsel Peter Haynes.

Duterte took part in the previous status conferences on 16 September and 13 October, but waived appearance for the last one, leaving the final procedural preparations solely to his lawyers.

While Duterte has been allowed to skip relevant ICC proceedings in the past, including the confirmation of charges hearing in February, the ICC mandates that the accused appear once trial proper opens, and the same applies to the former president.

Most of Monday’s proceedings focused on preparations for the evidentiary phase, allowing procedural fairness for the prosecution, the defense, and the victims’ camp.

The international tribunal also required victims’ representatives to deliver their opening statement entirely in English, rejecting a request to use Tagalog passages from victims’ accounts in the upcoming trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte.