THE International Criminal Court (ICC) is looking for more potential witnesses in relation to its investigation on the alleged crime against humanity in the Philippines during the implementation of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.
In a social media post, ICC-accredited counsel Kristina Conti said the ICC has launched a website (appeals.icc-cpi.int) for those who can provide credible information related to Duterte’s controversial campaign, which resulted in the death of over 6,000 alleged drug personalities within his six-year presidency.
“[Information] transmitted will be kept confidential, but with consent, can be brought up during trial,” said Conti, who serves as a lawyer for the families of the victims of the drug war.
In 2021, the ICC launched an investigation on the alleged “crime against humanity of murder” in the country related to the controversial drug war of Duterte from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019, the time he ordered the withdrawal of the Philippine’s membership to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.
Duterte was the mayor of Davao City from 2011 before he was elected as the president of the Republic in 2016.
Earlier, Duterte urged the ICC to “hurry up” as he may already die before they are able to investigate him.
Duterte, along with former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, was identified as the principal respondent of the case.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier maintained that the Philippines will not cooperate in the ICC investigation unless it has a go signal from the former chief executive.
He reiterated that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the country considering its well-working justice system. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)