On July 30, 2024, Prosecutor General Menardo Guevarra confirmed that the Philippine government will comply with the request of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to allow to interview five people in the Philippines. The interviews are related to the ICC investigations into alleged crimes against humanity in the context of the so-called “war on drugs” under former President Rodrigo Duterte. Guevarra explained that the individuals are not suspects, but “persons under suspicion” who can decide for themselves whether they want to be questioned or not.
Guevarra emphasized that the Philippine government would allow the ICC interviews but would not coordinate them. Former Senator Antonio Trillanes earlier released an unverified list of the five names who are prime suspects in the ICC investigation. The named individuals should include former police chief under ex-President Duterte and current Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and four others. The Philippine government under President Marcos Jr. had previously refused to cooperate with the ICC investigators.
According to Trillanes, the ICC has asked Interpol to place the five people on the so-called “Blue Notice List.” This means that the persons can be questioned by the ICC if they enter one of the other 195 Interpol countries. In addition, information on their identity, whereabouts and activities can be obtained for a criminal investigation. Interpol has not confirmed Trillanes’ statement and has pointed out that such information must be kept secret.
On August 1, 2024, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Guevarra’s statements and added that while the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC, it is still a member of Interpol. Interpol generally works closely with the ICC and can also execute arrest warrants for the ICC.
On August 3, 2024, Senator Ronald dela Rosa finally called on President Marcos Jr. to take a clear position on the ICC’s investigations. Vice President Sara Duterte had already published a statement in November 2023 in which she spoke out against allowing the ICC investigators into the country.
Rep. Robert Ace Barbers stated that information and results of the House of Representatives’ investigation into the so-called “war on drugs” will also be available to the ICC, as the recordings of such hearings are publicly available. However, Barbers emphasized that the House of Representatives would not otherwise offer any further assistance to the ICC.
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