ICC probe into PHL situation continues, says prosecutor

Despite the country's exit from the International Criminal Court (ICC), prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said an investigation into the situation of the Philippines will continue.

"The Philippines' withdrawal from the Rome Statute became effective yesterday (March 17, 2019)," said Bensoudain in a post on the Internal Community Court Twitter account.

#ICC Prosecutor #FatouBensouda: “Our independent & impartial preliminary examination into the situation in The Philippines continues” pic.twitter.com/6asrVqPAYM

— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 18, 2019

"Pursuant to article 127.2 of the Statute, and based on prior ICC ruling in the situation in Burundi, the court retains its jurisdiction over crimes committed during the time in which the State was party to the Statute and may exercise this jurisdiction even after the withdrawal become effective," she said.

"My Office's independent and impartial preliminary examination into the situation in the Philippines continues." 

The Philippines' withdrawal from the ICC took effect on Sunday, March 17, a year after the country notified the United Nations of its intent to leave the international tribunal.

The Philippines' decision to leave the ICC came shortly after the ICC Office of the Prosecutor said it would examine drug war-related allegations against President Rodrigo Duterte  to determine if it has jurisdiction to investigate.

In December 2018, the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor said it is continuing its assessment of available information to determine if there is "reasonable basis" to believe that the allegations fall under the ICC's subject-matter jurisdiction.

The ICC has jurisdiction to try individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. — BAP/KBK, GMA News