ICC adds URL field to track open-source evidence in Duterte case

MANILA, Philippines – The International Criminal Court (ICC) Registry has amended its E-Court Protocol in the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte to include a URL metadata field for open-source evidence to be presented by prosecutors.

The move follows a Sept. 28 order by Trial Chamber III granting the prosecution’s request to add the field to Niux Discover, the court’s system for storing and reviewing evidence.

The Registry submitted the amended protocol on Oct. 1, saying it was acting on the chamber’s order.

READ: ICC rejects Duterte bid to verify open-source evidence before trial

“Pursuant to the “Decision on the Prosecution’s and the Defence’s requests to amend the E-Court Protocol” issued by Trial Chamber III on 28 September 2026, the Registry hereby submits the present document and its annex consisting of the amended E-court Protocol,” the Registry said in a document dated October 1.

The prosecution had asked for the URL field after disclosing more than 62,000 pieces of evidence, including open-source and user-generated material.

Duterte’s defense had described the disclosure as a “terrible mess” and asked the chamber to add an expert verification field for such evidence.

The chamber rejected the request, saying it was unnecessary and could delay the start of the trial. It instead ordered the Registry to add the URL metadata field requested by the prosecution.

Duterte’s trial will commence on November 30 for two counts of murder and one count of murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity over supposed extrajudicial killings in his drug war committed from 2011 to 2019./ja