Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 21) — A lawyer on Tuesday said the International Criminal Court (ICC) has other possible sources of evidence to support its probe into the Duterte administration’s drug war.
“The ICC’s investigation seeks facts, information that they can source not only from the Philippine government but from other bodies or offices in the Philippine government that would be willing to cooperate,” ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
On Feb. 18, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he cannot cooperate with the ICC’s probe since the Philippines is a sovereign nation.
“We are not colonies anymore of these former imperialists,” he added.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Jean Fajardo also told CNN Philippines that the PNP will support the stand of the national government.
Conti said the Commission on Human Rights, an independent constitutional body that has expressed willingness to cooperate, can be tapped.
She said the judiciary is also a possible source of information, citing the decision on Pangilinan vs. Cayetano that said the Philippines still has obligations to the ICC since the country was a member of the international tribunal from 2011 to 2019, the period covered by the probe.
“It would be dissonant if they refuse to cooperate, or if they, when asked by the ICC, refuse to submit documents,” Conti pointed out.
The lawyer said the ICC can also tap non-government organizations that have been coordinating with the victims in compiling documents regarding their cases.
Last month, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber authorized the resumption of the investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war.
The Philippine government has filed an appeal to reverse this decision.
