MANILA – The prosecution of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has disclosed 6,909 items of evidence to the defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte as preparations continue for his crimes against humanity trial scheduled to begin in November.

In a notification dated August 5, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang informed Trial Chamber III that the materials were disclosed between January 7 and July 31, 2026.

The disclosure included 2,279 items classified as “INCRIM,” referring to incriminating material that the prosecution may use in presenting its case against Duterte.

Another 4,573 items were disclosed under Rule 77 of the ICC Rules of Procedure and Evidence, which covers material relevant to the preparation of the defense or obtained during the prosecution’s investigation.

The remaining 57 items were classified as “PEXO,” or potentially exonerating material that could assist the defense.

The prosecution said the PEXO materials included information that could undermine the credibility of a witness or point to a possible line of defense.

“Between 7 January and 31 July 2026, the Prosecution disclosed to the Defence 6,909 items of evidence,” the notification read.

The actual evidence was not made public. The materials were listed in three annexes that remain accessible only to the parties in the case.

The incriminating evidence covers material intended to establish the alleged contextual elements of crimes against humanity, Duterte’s alleged modes of liability and killings attributed to operations conducted during his terms as Davao City mayor and Philippine president.

The prosecution also identified evidence concerning alleged killings linked to the Davao Death Squad, operations against so-called high-value targets and barangay clearance operations conducted during Duterte’s presidency.

The prosecution alleges that the Davao Death Squad was composed of police officers and hired gunmen involved in carrying out Duterte’s anti-drug policy.

Evidence disclosed under Rule 77 includes material that the defense may inspect as part of its preparation for trial, including documents and other tangible materials relevant to the case and its contextual elements.

The latest disclosure adds to thousands of pieces of evidence previously provided to Duterte’s lawyers.

On March 28, 2025, the prosecution disclosed 181 items totaling nearly 3,000 pages. Another 421 documentary exhibits, together with nearly 16 hours of audio and video recordings, were turned over a month later.

From July through December 2025, the prosecution disclosed at least 1,303 additional pieces of evidence.

Duterte faces three counts of crimes against humanity involving murder and attempted murder over the deaths of 76 people in 49 incidents between 2013 and 2018.

The alleged crimes cover the period when Duterte served as Davao City mayor and later as president, during which his administration pursued an aggressive campaign against suspected drug offenders.

His trial before ICC Trial Chamber III is scheduled to begin on November 30, 2026.

The chamber is composed of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner and Judges Keebong Paek and Nicolas Guillou.

Duterte has not appeared before an ICC chamber in person since his arrest. His initial appearance took place on March 14, 2025, days after he was brought to The Hague.

In a separate document dated August 6, the ICC Registry also informed Trial Chamber III that materials previously taken from Duterte’s personal inventory had been returned.

The Registry, which handles administrative matters at the ICC, maintains an inventory of items belonging to detainees, including money, clothing and other valuables.

The prosecution had separately sought access to some of Duterte’s personal belongings in requests made in May and June. His defense opposed the requests, arguing that they violated the former president’s privacy rights.

The trial chamber subsequently granted the prosecution’s requests, after which the Registry confirmed that the materials had been returned to Duterte’s inventory.

Duterte’s defense has maintained that it will seek to disprove the alleged state policy behind the killings associated with his administration’s anti-drug campaign.