International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors have requested permission to use recorded statements from two additional witnesses in the case connecting Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
In a redacted filing submitted on October 26, ICC Acting Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang asked Trial Chamber III to admit the pre-recorded testimonies of witnesses P-1334 and P-1348 instead of requiring them to testify live, citing Rule 68(2)(b) of the court’s procedural guidelines.
The documents outline claims regarding the organizational structure of the drug war, targeted drug lists, and allegations of financial rewards and killing quotas.
Witness P-1334 reportedly detailed Dela Rosa’s purported involvement in circulating orders to eliminate individuals during his tenure as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief from 2016 to 2018.
Meanwhile, witness P-1348 provided accounts concerning an escalating climate of violence and operations aimed at neutralizing suspects following Duterte’s presidential inauguration.
Dela Rosa, who led the police force during the implementation of Oplan “Tokhang,” was named by prosecutors as an alleged co-perpetrator. The international tribunal previously unsealed an arrest warrant against him in May over accusations of crimes against humanity.
The prosecution’s motion has sparked legal debate within the tribunal. Defense counsels have contested the use of pre-recorded statements, warning that efforts to accelerate proceedings could undermine the defendants’ rights to a fair defense.
Conversely, legal representatives for the victims’ families have backed the request, asserting that it would streamline the trial while protecting witness security.
Trial Chamber III scheduled a final status conference for November 2, ahead of the official trial proceedings set to begin on November 30.