MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Trial Chamber III will discuss the measures to protect witnesses who will be presented during the trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The status conference scheduled on May 27 will tackle the potentially sensitive issue of delayed disclosure of witness identities, a measure often sought in cases involving alleged state-linked violence or witness intimidation.
The prosecution earlier said it plans to call 60 to 70 witnesses during Duterte’s trial. However, only 25 to 30 witnesses are expected to give live testimony in court.
The chamber plans to set a deadline for the submission of application from victims seeking to participate in the proceedings. It will also review a mapping report from the Victims Participation and Reparations Section, which helps identify and organize victim groups.
The agenda for the status conference also includes the prosecution’s assessment regarding the potential addition of incidents, suggesting that prosecutors may seek to expand the scope of charges or introduce new events.
