ICC drug war probe decision will not affect PH –Remulla

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday said the International Criminal Court's (ICC's) decision on the government’s appeal against the continuation of the drug war investigation would not affect the Philippines.

“Well, they can decide in the Hague where the ICC is. But that does not affect us here. They cannot enforce anything that they want in our country because we are not members of the ICC,” Remulla said in a media briefing.

Next week, the ICC Appeals Chamber will issue its decision on the government’s plea against the resumption of the ICC prosecutor’s probe on the killings linked to the drug war.

In a three-page scheduling order signed by Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, the appeals chamber said, "Judgment in the above appeal will be delivered in open court on Tuesday, 18 July 2023 at 10h00."

According to Remulla, he did not see the ICC entering the country to do whatever it wanted.

“We’re just trying to work with them in the spirit of comity. But if things happen as they do, if they will be adverse against us, so be it. But we are not members of the ICC,” said the Justice Secretary.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte pulled the Philippines out of the Hague-based tribunal in 2019 after it began a preliminary probe into his drug war, followed by the launch of a formal inquiry later that year.

Duterte has since continuously dismissed the probe.

Under the Duterte administration's controversial drug war, at least 6,200 suspects were killed in police operations based on government records.

Human rights groups, however, claimed the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000. 

On Thursday, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said the Philippines had a “fair chance” of getting a favorable ruling.

Despite this, he said that should the country lose, the ICC may indict “certain individuals” if there is sufficient evidence. — DVM, GMA Integrated News