ICC asked about 6 Duterte lawyers

INTERNATIONAL prosecutors investigating former President Rodrigo R. Duterte have asked judges to clarify the roles of six Filipino lawyers who have appeared alongside his defense team, citing concerns that their presence could have a chilling effect on the investigation.

In a formal request dated March 10, the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) requested that the Pre-Trial Chamber I order Mr. Duterte’s defense to confirm on the record whether these individuals are official members of the legal team.

The request follows a confirmation-of-charges hearing in which the defense publicly introduced six lawyers — Salvador C. Medialdea, Salvador S. Panelo, Martin B. Delgra III, Silvestre H. Bello III, Alfredo Cereza Lim, and Caesar R. Dulay — as a group that has “ably assisted and supported” the former president’s case.

Prosecutors argued that they have a strict duty to “take appropriate measures to protect the safety, physical and psychological well-being, dignity and privacy of victims and witnesses.”

They are asking the court to confirm that the group will not have access to non-public filings or privileged meetings with Mr. Duterte in detention. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking