Dutterteの弁護は,演説と薬物殺戮とのつながりを否定し,ICCでの証人の信憑性に疑問を呈している. Duterte’s defense denies link between his speeches and drug killings, challenges witness credibility at ICC.

ICCでは,元フィリピン大統領ロドリゴ・デュターテの弁護チームは,反ダルグ運動中に発生したとされる殺人と彼を結びつける具体的な証拠がないと主張した. At the ICC, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's defense team contended that there is no concrete proof connecting him to the alleged murders that occurred during his anti-drug campaign. また,検察官は,免責を受け,Duterteから直接命令を受けた証人が一人もいないと証言した自己組織的殺人者に対する信頼を批判した. They also criticized the prosecution's reliance on self-confessed killers who were given immunity and said that no witness had ever testified to receiving a direct order from Duterte. 被告弁護士のニコラス・カウフマンは,この事件において"喫煙銃"は存在しないと主張し,組織的計画の有無を疑問視し,不当かつ政治的な動機として検察官の語りを却下した. Nicholas Kaufman, the defense attorney, argued that there is no "smoking gun" in the case, questioned the existence of a coordinated plan, and rejected the prosecution's narrative as biased and politically motivated. 六十日以内に,ICCの裁判官は,裁判で前進するかどうかを決定する. Within sixty days, the ICC judges will determine whether to move forward with a trial.