The defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte has opposed a request by prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to inspect items seized during his arrest, describing the move as a “late-stage fishing expedition.”
In separate filings submitted to ICC Trial Chamber III on June 26, lead defense counsel Peter Haynes asked the court to reject several investigative requests made by the prosecution.
According to the defense, the prosecution’s request to inspect items currently in the custody of the ICC Registry came too late in the proceedings.
Haynes argued that requests of this nature are typically made when a suspect first arrives in ICC custody or at the earliest possible stage of the investigation.
The defense also warned that allowing the inspection could disrupt the prosecution’s timeline for completing its case disclosure by Sept. 30, 2026.
In addition to procedural concerns, the defense emphasized that the request also raises privacy issues involving Duterte’s personal belongings.
The filings urged the court to deny the prosecution’s requests on those grounds.
The prosecution has asked to inspect the items that were seized when Duterte was arrested, but no ruling has yet been issued by ICC Trial Chamber III on the request.
The matter remains pending before the court as proceedings continue.
No additional details regarding the contents of the seized items were disclosed in the filings cited by the defense.
