DILG chief has ‘no knowledge’ about ICC investigation in PH

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has no information on whether International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators have already finished with their investigation and evidence gathering in the country, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said on Wednesday.

The statement was his response when asked for a comment on reports that the ICC investigators have already completed their investigation on the previous administration’s war on drugs.

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“As far as our office is concerned, the DILG is [concerned], I have no knowledge about this. There’s no communication with them (ICC investigators), nothing at all,” Abalos said in a Palace briefing.

Meanwhile, when asked for a comment regarding President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive on government officials to “not answer” should ICC representatives try to contact them, Abalos only said that he would “follow the lead of the President.”

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In an ambush interview on Tuesday, Marcos stood firm that the government “will not lift a finger” to assist the ICC’s probe on the war on drugs.

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“I do not recognize the jurisdiction of ICC in the Philippines. I consider this as a threat to our sovereignty. Therefore, the Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts. However, as ordinary people, they can come and visit the Philippines,” Marcos told reporters.