THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has unanimously denied former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s petition to disqualify two judges from hearing his jurisdictional challenge in the case related to alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The plenary of ICC judges convened on June 9 to deliberate on Duterte’s request to remove Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera from participating in the proceedings.
“The plenary of judges, acting unanimously, decided to reject the application,”
the court said in a decision signed by Judge Tomoko Akane.
The tribunal indicated that a comprehensive explanation of the ruling will be issued in due course.
In his application, Duterte sought the disqualification of the two judges from ruling on his Defence Challenge with Respect to Jurisdiction, which contests the ICC’s authority to investigate him.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Public Counsel for Victims, which represents victims before the ICC, urged the court to dismiss Duterte’s jurisdictional challenge, signaling confidence in the court’s mandate to proceed.
The former president is being investigated in connection with numerous alleged extrajudicial killings linked to his administration’s controversial drug war, which has drawn global criticism from human rights organizations.
