On November 13, Malacañang indicated that the Philippine government might be compelled to cooperate with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) if the International Criminal Court (ICC) requests assistance in relation to former President Rodrigo Duterte. This development comes amid ongoing international scrutiny over Duterte’s controversial anti-drug campaign that claimed over 6,000 lives.
In a House quad committee hearing, Duterte himself expressed no fear of the ICC’s jurisdiction and invited them to expedite their investigation, stating, “Hurry up, come here and start your investigation.” He even quipped that he would willingly face the court if provided airfare.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed that the government would not obstruct Duterte from submitting himself to ICC jurisdiction. “If the former president desires to surrender himself to the jurisdiction of the ICC, the government will neither object to it nor move to block the fulfillment of his desire,” Bersamin stated. He also highlighted that if the ICC refers the matter to Interpol, resulting in a red notice, local law enforcement would be obliged to comply under established protocols.
Despite Bersamin’s remarks, the Marcos administration has previously maintained that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines. President Marcos has described any ICC investigation as a potential threat to Philippine sovereignty, reiterating the country’s non-cooperation stance.
The ICC’s interest in Duterte stems from a 2021 pre-trial chamber decision that allowed an investigation into potential crimes against humanity linked to the former president’s war on drugs. Although the Philippines ratified the Rome Statute in 2011, Duterte withdrew the country from the treaty in 2018, asserting that the ICC no longer had jurisdiction over him.
Duterte has consistently stated that he would only face charges in a Philippine court. Nevertheless, militant groups are urging the current administration to support the ICC’s efforts. Kabataan party-list spokesperson Renee Co stressed that the government should seize this opportunity, saying, “The prime suspect is presenting himself to the ICC on a silver platter. There is no sensible reason for the Marcos Jr. administration to drop the ball now and delay victims and their kin from claiming a measure of justice.”
Bayan secretary general Raymond Palatino echoed the call for cooperation, emphasizing that the pursuit of truth and justice extends beyond the quad committee hearings. Protests led by Bayan and allied organizations took place outside the Batasang Pambansa complex, with demonstrators demanding Duterte be held accountable for the alleged abuses during his administration’s anti-drug operations.
