DRUG war victims can still apply to participate in the crimes against humanity charges filed against former president Rodrigo Duterte while his trial is underway before the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, a lawyer said yesterday.
Joel Butuyan, one of the five Filipino lawyers accredited by the ICC to argue before the tribunal, said this can still be done during the pre-trial of the case after the confirmation of charges hearing against the former president.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 has set the confirmation of charges hearing on September 23.
“Even after ng pre-trial, kahit na ongoing na ‘yung trial, pwe-pwede pa rin mag apply for participation ‘yung mga victims (Even after the pre-trial, even when the trial is ongoing, the victims can still apply for participation),” Butuyan told radio DzBB.
Butuyan explained that the main proceeding for the victims to participate is during the reparation stage.
“Ito ‘yung na convict na ‘yung akusado and then pag uusapan na ‘yung danyos na ia-award sa mga biktima (This is where the accused is already convicted and the discussion will center on the reparation for the victims),” he added.
A total of 303 drug war victims had sought to participate in the pre-trial proceedings in the crime against humanity charges against Duterte.
The number, according to the Victims Participation and Reparations Sections (VPRS), is just a small percentage of the total number of drug war victims.
The victims and their representatives are clustered into Groups A, B, and C by the VPRS.
Butuyan explained that those in Groups A and B are more likely to be qualified to participate in the trial.
But he added the final decision still rests with the Pre-Trial Chamber, which is handling the case against the 80-year-old former president.
