PH cooperation with ICC needs study – Justice Secretary Remulla

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla | INQUIRER.net / Tetch Torres-Tupas

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday that a resolution at the House of Representatives urging the government to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war needs to be studied thoroughly.

“Needs a serious study on our part at the Department of Justice, considering we are no longer [a] member [of the Rome Statute],” he added.

Earlier, he said the Department of Justice (DOJ) was also studying a call from the Makabayan bloc to let the international tribunal enter the country to pursue its investigation of Duterte.

House Resolution No. 1477, filed on Monday by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., House human rights panel chair, and 1-Rider Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez of the minority bloc, urges government agencies to cooperate with ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan.

The resolution’s filing happened a month after the three Makabayan lawmakers filed a similar resolution.

Their resolution cited the former President’s admission in a television show last October that he used intelligence funds to bankroll extrajudicial killings in Davao City.

Additional evidence

This televised admission was sent by the Magdalo group to the ICC as additional evidence against Duterte and his war on illegal drugs, which left thousands of suspects dead.

“The Philippine government’s initial request for the ICC prosecutor to defer its investigation and the Philippine government’s subsequent petition before the ICC Appeals Chamber, clearly demonstrate that the Philippine government respects the rule of international law and recognizes the proceedings of the ICC,” HR 1477 said.

It added that despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the Supreme Court said the ICC retains jurisdiction “over any and all acts committed by government actors until March 17, 2019.”

The resolution was referred to the House justice committee for action.

On March 16, 2018, the Philippines submitted its notice of withdrawal from the Rome Statute after the ICC opened a preliminary examination into Duterte’s alleged crimes against humanity in the conduct of his anti-drug campaign. The withdrawal became official on March 17, 2019.