The Philippine government will not allow members of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch an inquiry into former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug campaign, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Saturday.
According to DOJ Senior Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has taken a hard stance to discontinue contacts with the ICC following its recent decision to reject the Philippine government's request to pause its inquiry.
During the news forum held at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Vasquez said that since they are still in the investigation phase, the ICC wants to start the investigation in the country which means the investigators want to come here.
He added that the President’s decision is to disengage from the ICC as of now, meaning that they will coordinate and they will not allow the ICC to come to the Philippines.
Vasquez noted that the ICC prosecutors could visit the country "subject to limitations."
He also cautioned ICC members who attempted to enter the nation to conduct an inquiry that they might face charges of usurpation of authority.
When asked if the ICC could issue an arrest warrant for former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and other figures tied to the drug war, Vasquez highlighted that the ICC had "no enforcement mechanism".
He stated that the ICC would require the assistance of its member states in order to order the arrest of those participating in the Philippines' anti-narcotics operation.
The DOJ official said that the ICC does not need to intervene in the affairs of the Philippines because the country has an "existing and operating" justice system and accountability mechanism.
Vasquez stated that the Marcos administration is willing to accommodate people who wish to speak about alleged human rights violations related to the drug war.
In an interview in Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, Marcos stated the Philippines will no longer interact with the ICC following the latter's decision to continue its probe despite the government's request to postpone it.
