The failure of former president Rodrigo Duterte to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during his administration led to his arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to Malacañang.
“Hindi nagampanan ng administrasyon ni dating pangulong Duterte iyong pangako, iyong undertaking na sila ay magsasagawa ng pag-iimbestiga at magsasampa ng karampatang kaso,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a Palace briefer.
“Kung mayroon po sigurong dapat sisihin kung bakit nagpatuloy ang ICC, iyon na rin po ay ang dating administrasyon dahil hindi sila agad kumilos sa mga kasong ito na nirereklamo patungkol sa madugong war on drugs,” she also said.
In November 2021, the Duterte administration requested the ICC suspend its investigation, promising to conduct its own and hold accountable those responsible.
However, in June 2022, before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office, the ICC prosecutor stated the Duterte administration had not met its commitment to investigate and charge EJK perpetrators, prompting the ICC to resume its inquiry.
Asked about the Marcos administration’s authority to investigate EJKs, Castro pointed to hearings by the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee, where details about the Duterte administration’s actions were revealed.
Duterte is now in ICC custody in The Hague, facing crimes against humanity charges related to his war on drugs.IMT
