ICC welcomes Philippine openness to drug war probe

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has expressed its approval of the Philippines’ willingness to engage with the ICC’s investigation into drug war-related deaths during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"The Office welcomes cooperation from State Parties... and looks forward to further exchanges with all relevant stakeholders, including national authorities, civil society, and others,” the ICC stated in response to recent developments.

On January 23, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla indicated that the Philippine government might cooperate with the ICC probe in specific areas.

"We will talk to them soon in a very well-defined manner, in the spirit of comity," said Remulla. "Some people are trying to bridge the divide to bring us together, so we can sit at one table."

However, he emphasized that “lines have to be drawn properly.”

Executive Secretary and former Supreme Court Justice Lucas Bersamin also weighed in, noting that any Philippine cooperation with the ICC would depend on action by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

"If the ICC makes a move, and courses the move through the Interpol, and the Interpol makes the request to us for the arrest of delivery of the custody of a person subject to ICC jurisdiction, we will respond favorably or positively to the Interpol request,” Bersamin explained.

Former President Duterte, in a House of Representatives Quad Comm probe, stated that he has no apologies for those killed during the anti-drug operations, including teenagers, asserting that guilt is personal. 

Duterte also expressed eagerness for the ICC to proceed with its investigation into his actions. — DVM, GMA Integrated News