The Albany Gazette - Duterte killed thousands, ICC prosecutors say

"He's proud of his killings. He wants to be remembered for them," said Julian Nicholls, summing up for the prosecution.

"Decades of murdering his own people, murdering the children of the Philippines, and he claims that he did it all for his country. He doesn't deny it.

"He ran a death squad in Davao (city) that he created. He ran it for over 20 years before he became president. His promise was to kill thousands and he did."

Throughout the week, a panel of three judges has heard from the prosecution, defence, and victims' representatives as they weigh whether to proceed to a full trial.

Duterte has not been in the courtroom. The defence says he is too ill to attend. Victims say he does not want to face the loved ones of those he killed.

He faces three counts of crimes of humanity over his so-called "war on drugs" when he was mayor of Davao City and then as president of the Philippines.

The prosecution has put forward 76 cases of alleged murder, which they say is an "emblematic fraction" of those killed, which rights groups say number thousands.

The defence, which will sum up later Friday, has said there is no direct linkage between Duterte and any killings.

Gilbert Andres, a lawyer representing victims, summed up by saying that his clients experienced defence rebuttals "like their murdered loved-ones are being murdered again."

He called on the court to confirm the charges so that the victims can be "reintegrated into their communities."

Following the hearing, judges will have up to 60 days to issue a written verdict.

They can confirm all of the charges and proceed to trial, throw out some of the charges, or reject the case outright, in which case Duterte would walk free.

(T.Martin--TAG)