FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte’s lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, strongly denied claims that the ex-chief executive destroyed or ordered the destruction of evidence related to the controversial “drug war.”
Speaking in an interview at The Hague on July 3, 2025, Kaufman stated, “What I do know is that my client, Mr. Duterte, had nothing to do with destroying any evidence.”
This statement comes after Justice Secretary Boying Remulla indicated that the Philippine government would allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take over drug war cases, citing the absence or destruction of evidence.
Kaufman, however, maintained that destroying evidence is a criminal offense and asserted that such actions were neither requested by nor carried out on behalf of the former president.
He further expressed his disbelief that any evidence had actually been destroyed.
Despite the ongoing legal complexities, Kaufman also noted that the former president is in good spirits.
