The Department of Justice (DOJ) will study the renewed calls to the government to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigate the alleged crimes against humanity during the war against drugs campaign, its Secretary Jesus Crispin 'Boying' Remulla said on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
In a press briefing, Remulla mentioned that they will have to look first into the House documents that calls for the Marcos administration to cooperate in the ICC probe.
"Unang-una, kailangan pag-aralan muna namin ang mga record ng Congress. Hindi lang second hand or third hand sources. Kinakailangan humingi kami ng transmitter sa kongreso tungkol sa mga usapin ditio, sa mga debateng nangyari, at sa pag-file ng resolusyon kung ano ang nangyari sa komite bago ito lumabas," he said.
The Justice Chief added that they will also have to study jurisprudence regarding the issue of ICC's jurisdiction.
"Kailangan tingnan natin yung huling dikreto na ibinigay ng Korte Suprema tungkol sa bagay na ito o kaya yung tinatawag na jurrisprudence on the matter. Kung ito ba'y overdicting lamang o talagang siya'y precedent or obeter lang," he said.
When asked what had changed their stand on ICC's probe, the Justice Chief answered: "Nothing had changed."
"Sapagkat kailangan lang pag-aralan talaga ang bagay na ito sapagkat international law ang pumapasok dito. Pumasok din din ang constitutional law, ating korte, pumapasok dito ang ating batas. Kaya maingat lang tayo," he added.
In January this year, Remulla called the decision of the international chamber an "insult" to the Philippines as he said that it has a "fully functioning judicial system." He added that ICC prosecutors are not welcome to enter the Philippines.
In July, the Justice Chief reiterated that authorities would not assist ICC prosecutors as they are not welcome in the country.
Earlier this month, the Magdalo group called on the Marcos administration to allow ICC to launch a probe into the blood war against drugs and make former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte accountable.
