The International Criminal Court has reaffirmed that it considers itself empowered to examine alleged abuses connected to the Philippines’ anti-drug campaign, asserting jurisdiction over acts said to have taken place while the country was still a member of the tribunal.
In a statement posted on Facebook late Thursday, Jan. 15, the Office of the Prosecutor said its inquiry spans incidents allegedly committed from November 2011 through March 2019. The scope of the review includes claims of unlawful killings, torture, and sexual violence linked to police-led operations.
As part of the ongoing probe, the prosecution said it is actively looking for individuals who directly witnessed or participated in the incidents under scrutiny. Investigators emphasized the value of testimony from those with firsthand knowledge, including personnel from law enforcement agencies who were involved in the operations being examined.
“The Office is appealing for direct witnesses to these incidents, including members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies who were involved in these incidents, to come forward and speak with members of the Office,” the post said, adding that information can be submitted through a secure channel.
The prosecution described the effort as a continuation of its work to establish accountability for actions tied to the anti-drug drive carried out during the previous administration. It said statements from direct participants and observers are essential to clarifying what occurred on the ground.
Although the announcement did not identify specific suspects, former president Rodrigo Duterte has been held in The Hague since his arrest in March 2025 on charges of crimes against humanity.
The Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019, a move the court has said does not affect its authority to assess alleged offenses committed before the withdrawal took effect.
