THE HAGUE, Netherlands — International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors have submitted the high-profile killings of teenager Kian Loyd delos Santos and former Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. as key evidence to contest police claims of self-defense under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
In a court application dated October 30 and made public on November 3, the prosecution requested the admission of recorded testimonies from two witnesses, designated as P-0025 and P-1382. Filed under Rule 68(3) of the ICC Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the motion seeks to incorporate prior statements and related transcripts directly into the official court record.
According to the filing, the testimonies highlight a sharp escalation in fatalities during Duterte’s tenure and expose glaring inconsistencies regarding official Philippine National Police (PNP) accounts. Prosecutors maintain these materials establish a systemic government policy targeting suspected criminals, fulfilling essential criteria required to prosecute crimes against humanity.
The documentation features specific evidence surrounding the August 16, 2017, death of 17-year-old Delos Santos in Caloocan City, where independent witness accounts and surveillance footage contradicted initial police claims that the teenager fought back.
Additionally, the filing references the July 30, 2017, joint police operations in Ozamiz City that resulted in the deaths of Mayor Parojinog and several family members during a series of search warrant executions.
Prosecutors characterized the witness accounts as consistent, well-documented, and reinforced by external evidence. They further argued that admitting the statements safeguards due process, noting that Duterte’s defense team has been aware of the initiative since August 31, 2026, granting adequate preparation time for cross-examination.
The ICC Trial Chamber has yet to issue a formal ruling on the application.