International court backs probe into 'war on drugs' in the Philippines
16 September, 2021
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday (Sep 15) approved a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed under the leadership of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the context of his "war on drugs".
The ICC said in a statement that judges had approved a request by prosecutors to begin the investigation into potential murder as a crime against humanity.
Judges' assessment of material presented by prosecutors, was that "the so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation", but rather amounted to a systematic attack on civilians.
Human rights groups accuse Duterte of inciting deadly violence and say police have murdered unarmed drug suspects on a massive scale as part of the campaign. Police deny this, and Duterte says the police are under orders to kill only in self-defence. The government in Manila could not immediately be reached for a reaction late on Wednesday.
Philippines rights group Karapatan said the court's comments "reaffirms the views of victims and their families".
"Duterte and his cohorts should be made accountable for these crimes," it said after the ICC decision.
In a July speech, Duterte lashed out at the court, saying he would continue his fight against drugs.
"I have never denied (it), and the ICC can record it: Those who destroy my country - I will kill you," he said.
According to AFP, Duterte's lawyer said on Thursday the president would not cooperate with the ICC's probe into the drug war, insisting the tribunal does not have jurisdiction in the country.
Duterte "will not cooperate since first of all, the Philippines has left the Rome statute, so the ICC no longer has jurisdiction over the country", chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo told local radio DZBB.
"The government will not let in any ICC member to collect information and evidence here in the Philippines, they will be barred entry."
Although the Philippines has withdrawn from membership of the ICC, it was a member between July 2016 and March 2019, the period covered by the prospective investigation.
The judges said that relevant crimes appeared to have continued after that date, but the court was limited to investigating those suspected to have occurred while the Philippines was a member.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
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