Prosecutors from the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court renewed a call on an unspecified recent date for Philippine police officers and other witnesses to testify in The Hague, Netherlands, as part of the court’s investigation into alleged killings linked to the antidrug campaign of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Office of the Prosecutor said it seeks information and testimony from current and former law enforcement officers, victims, relatives of victims, and other individuals with direct knowledge of operations carried out under the antidrug campaign.
Prosecutors said the investigation covers alleged crimes in Davao City and other areas of the Philippines from November 2011 to June 2016, as well as nationwide incidents from July 2016 to March 2019 linked to the so-called war on drugs.
The Office of the Prosecutor said potential witnesses may contact investigators through secure communication channels listed on the ICC’s official website. It said these channels allow individuals to share information confidentially.
The Office of the Prosecutor said the investigation continues despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in March 2019. Prosecutors said the court maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country remained a State Party.
Prosecutors said the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber previously authorized the resumption of the investigation after a temporary suspension linked to a deferral request from the Philippine government.
The Office of the Prosecutor said investigators review witness accounts, public reports, official records, and other materials related to alleged extrajudicial killings and associated offenses.
Prosecutors said the inquiry focuses on determining individual criminal responsibility of persons who may bear the greatest responsibility for crimes within the court’s jurisdiction.
The Office of the Prosecutor said it may seek arrest warrants or summonses to appear before the court if investigators find reasonable grounds to believe specific individuals committed crimes under the Rome Statute.
The Office of the Prosecutor said it conducts the investigation independently and does not accept instructions from any government or outside entity.
Prosecutors said they continue to assess whether Philippine authorities conduct genuine domestic investigations and prosecutions related to the alleged killings.
The Office of the Prosecutor said it accepts submissions in multiple languages and encourages individuals and organizations with relevant information to provide material that may assist the investigation.
Prosecutors said they may conduct interviews, collect records, and request cooperation from states and international organizations as the investigation continues.
The Office of the Prosecutor said it will issue periodic public updates on major procedural developments while safeguarding the integrity of the investigation and the security of witnesses.
