DFA ready to face ICC probe into war on drugs

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is prepared to represent the Philippines if needed, before the International Criminal Court (ICC) which reopened its investigation on the country’s war on drugs.

“The Department has yet to receive the official copy of the decision from the Pre-Trial Chamber (PTC) of the International Criminal Court. Nevertheless, the Department defers to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General on the appropriate action or ways forward with regard to any legal or procedural issues raised by the PTC,” DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said on Friday.

“If necessary, the Department stands ready to make appropriate representations through our Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands,” she added.

Then President Rodrigo Duterte and former Philippine National Police chief and incumbent Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa are accused of crimes against humanity due to the extrajudicial killings related to the war on drugs.

Duterte launched the war on drugs at the start of his term in 2016.

In September 2021, the ICC started its investigation into the killings but was suspended two months later upon the government’s request.

According to human rights groups, the drug war death toll exceeded 20,000.

Government data, however, showed only 6,248 drug war – related deaths as of April 30, 2022.

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