ICC lawyer warns of new charges against Duterte over court attacks

DAVAO CITY —- Lawyer Kristine Conti, a legal assistant to the International Criminal Court (ICC),  has warned that former President Rodrigo Duterte could face additional charges if threats and attacks against ICC officials can be linked back to him.

Conti, who also serves as an assistant to counsel at the ICC, emphasized that the court’s jurisdiction over the Philippines remains crucial in ensuring justice is served.

“It tells the ICC we need jurisdiction; we need to take cognizance of this case because if we throwback this case to the Philippines, baka magkagulo (it could cause disorder),” Conti stated in an interview with ABS-CBN,

She pointed out that Article 70 of the Rome Statute, which governs offenses against the administration of justice, prohibits the intimidation of court officials intending to interfere in legal proceedings.

“If you intimidate an official of the court for the purpose of… forcing or persuading the official not to perform or to perform his or her duties improperly, Duterte could have additional charges if these attacks could be traced back to him,” Conti warned.

The lawyer also criticized the reliance on social media campaigns to contest the ICC’s proceedings instead of engaging with the court through formal legal channels.

She stated supporters of the former president flooded the ICC’s social media pages with messages asking the court to send Duterte home.

“The proper way would be to perhaps write to the court and ask for the opportunity to be heard, not spam social media. That’s not an official communication channel of the court,” she asserted.

Conti’s statements come amid heightened tensions between the Philippine government and the ICC as the tribunal continues its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during Duterte’s war on drugs. Her remarks underscore the ICC’s firm stance on jurisdiction, due process, and the potential legal consequences for those attempting to obstruct justice through intimidation or misinformation.