The judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) have asked the Philippine government to submit additional observations on the request of the tribunal to resume its investigations on the controversial war on drugs campaign of the Duterte administration.
In its seven-page order dated July 14, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber said it considers it appropriate to invite the Philippine government to submit any additional observations arising from the request of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan.
ICC said the Philippines must submit these documents by September 8, 2022.
Days before then President Rodrigo Duterte step down from his post in June, Khan requested the resumption of investigation on the bloody drug war — seven months after it was suspended due to the request of the government.
At that time, Khan argued that the Philippine government has failed to demonstrate that it has investigated numerous cases of killings in its police operations.
In the same order of the international court, the judges also invited the victims and their legal representatives to submit any additional or different views on Khan’s request.
They were also given until September 8 to submit their views to the ICC’s Victims Participation and Reparations Section which, in turn, was directed to transmit them to the pre-trial chamber together with a report by September 22.
"The Chamber does not deem it necessary to hold a hearing in addition to receiving further written observations from the Philippines, any reply from the Prosecutor, and the views and concerns of the victims," the order read.
