ISTANBUL 

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has denied two pleas by former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces crimes against humanity charges, just a day before the confirmation of charges hearing in The Hague, local media reported on Sunday.

The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber, in a unanimous decision, rejected a defense request to compel the prosecution to disclose further identifying information about certain witnesses and to submit less-redacted versions of key documents, including one containing the charges and the pre-confirmation brief, the Manila Times reported.

The judges also denied a defense request to disqualify the external legal representatives of victims of Duterte’s drug war, saying his lawyers had not adequately demonstrated any conflict of interest or legal impediment that would warrant the removal of the victims’ lawyers.

The four-day confirmation of charges hearing, set to begin on Monday, will determine whether there are substantial grounds to believe Duterte committed crimes against humanity in connection with killings linked to his anti-drug campaign as mayor of Davao City and later as president, a post he held from 2016 to 2022.

The detained ex-president will not be at the hearing, in person or online, as he has waived his right to be there, citing his rejection of the ICC’s jurisdiction and his health.

Presiding Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc, joined by Reine Alapini-Gansou and Maria del Socorro Flores Liera, ruled that existing redactions — which obscure only information that could identify victims and witnesses — appropriately balance the principle of public proceedings with the court’s obligation under the Rome Statute to ensure the safety and dignity of those involved

Opposing the request earlier this week, the prosecution argued that the redactions were necessary due to sensitive security-related information concerning victims and witnesses.

The chamber also rejected a defense request to compel the prosecution to declare the whereabouts and availability of certain witnesses for trial, noting that no legal basis had been provided to support such a demand under the court’s framework.

The judges have already granted requests from both the defense team and the prosecutors to expand their respective lists of evidence.

Duterte, 80, who has detained at the ICC detention facility in The Hague since last March, faces three counts of crimes against humanity linked to drug war deaths between 2011 and 2019.