The International Criminal Court (ICC) launched an appeal on November 29, 2024 to obtain further information from Philippine police officers and other state security forces on the human rights violations in the context of the so-called “war on drugs.” The aim is to gain more direct insights into possible crimes against humanity in relation to the “war on drugs” under the former government of Rodrigo Duterte. According to the ICC, the investigation has so far been largely based on publicly available information, but a more comprehensive evidence base is being sought.
What is significant about the public appeal is the turn to “direct witnesses” from state security forces, in particular the Philippine National Police (PNP). According to human rights lawyer Ross Tugade from the University of the Philippines, PNP testimonies are important to understand the crime patterns and chains of command of a possible “systemic killing.” According to human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, the appeal also comes at the right time, as the so-called quad committee is conducting its investigation into extrajudicial killings in the context of former President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Representative Robert Ace Barbers of the Philippine House of Representatives emphasized on December 22, 2024, that the ICC does not have access to the progress report of the quad committee. Barbers added that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC, which is why the government is not obliged to cooperate with the court. At the same time, it was pointed out that the ICC could continue to access publicly available reports and information documenting the conclusions of the Philippine investigation.
In the wake of a bill in the United States (US) Congress that would impose sanctions against the ICC in relation to arrest warrants issued in connection with the Gaza-Israel conflict, Philippine human rights groups urged the US Congress on January 7, 2025, to consider the potential impact of this bill on the ICC investigation into human rights violations in the Philippines. They warned of dramatic consequences for the ICC investigation in the Philippines and the witness protection program.
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