Former presidential spokesperson and legal counsel Salvador Panelo claimed that the defense dismantled the prosecution’s case against former President Rodrigo Duterte on the third day of the confirmation of charges hearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, Panelo argued that prosecutors failed to establish Duterte’s liability for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign.
“The prosecution theory has been shattered to pieces,” Panelo said.
“Because the very testimonial evidence and documentary evidence presented by the prosecution have been thoroughly rebutted.”
He contended that witness testimonies were inconsistent and unreliable, describing them as:
“puro batay or based on hearsay, double hearsay, spekulasyon, surmises.”
Panelo also questioned documentary evidence presented to show alleged coordination between Duterte and the Philippine National Police.
He cited a police circular referenced by prosecutors as proof of a supposed “command to kill,” but argued that the document itself contradicted such claims.
“Yung dokumentong circular na sinasabi nilang yun ang command to kill, ay lumalabas, the very document itself shows na nakalagay doon, if you have to arrest, ‘you have to do it in accordance with law’,” he said. “Kaya sumabog sa mukha nila lahat.”
Dismissing the prosecution’s evaluation of its own presentation, Panelo added:
“They are entitled to their imagined satisfaction of their presentation. In short, bagsak sila.”
He concluded:
“If the resolution of the International Criminal Court will be based on evidence, dismissed ang kaso.”
Earlier, ICC Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang maintained that Duterte played a central role in killings linked to the war on drugs.
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has filed three counts of crimes against humanity—covering murder and attempted murder—against the former president. Duterte did not attend the hearing.