MANILA, Philippines—The legal team of former president Rodrigo Duterte has urged his supporters to remain vigilant and discerning ahead of his International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmation of charges hearing. Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s lead counsel, said the former president’s Filipino and international legal teams are fully engaged in preparing for the proceedings in The Hague. “Be strong. Watch carefully and don’t believe everything the government’s media tells you,” Kaufman told Duterte’s supporters in a statement. He described the confirmation stage as a critical point where the ICC assesses whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial—a procedure unique to international criminal tribunals. Kaufman stressed that the defense’s role is not to prove Duterte’s innocence, but to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and argue that there are no substantial grounds to believe the alleged crimes were committed. Duterte’s health and cognitive state remain central to the case. Kaufman said the former president suffers from severe short-term memory loss but retains long-term recollections, and that counsel visits have been regular to guide him through legal strategy. Kaufman noted that a separate medical report has been filed to support arguments for interim release, after the court previously dismissed evidence of Duterte’s physical and cognitive vulnerabilities. “The risk factors under Article 58 of the Rome Statute—risk of flight, interfering with witnesses, or committing further crimes—simply do not apply to an 80-year-old man who hobbles with a cane and has severe cognitive difficulties,” he said.