- ICC solicits additional testimonies in ‘war on drugs’ probe
THE OFFICE of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a fresh appeal for direct witnesses to come forward as it continues its investigation into detained former President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity charge.
The investigation covers a period between November 2011 and March 2019, focusing on the government’s controversial “war on drugs” campaign.
According to the ICC, the probe includes allegations of extrajudicial killings, torture, and sexual violence.
The Office of the Prosecutor is specifically reaching out to members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies who may have been involved in or witnessed these incidents.
The ICC has emphasized that individuals can submit information through a secure, encrypted link to ensure the safety and confidentiality of those coming forward.
The jurisdiction challenge
The ongoing search for witnesses has reignited a fierce debate over the principle of complementarity —the legal concept that the ICC should only intervene if a country’s own legal system is unable or unwilling to investigate.
Some legal observers and government supporters argue that the continued search for witnesses suggests a “lack of evidence,” and the case should be returned to the jurisdiction of Philippine courts.
While the ICC maintains that it has the mandate to proceed, the Philippine government has previously asserted that the country’s judicial system is fully functional and capable of handling any alleged human rights violations internally.
The ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor continues to remind the public that “testimony matters” in establishing the truth of the events that occurred during the specified eight-year period.
