Photo from the House of Representatives media bureau
MANILA, Philippines — The government will “neither object to” nor “move to block” former President Rodrigo Duterte should he choose to surrender himself to the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Palace said on Wednesday.
This statement came after Duterte dared the ICC in a House Quad committee hearing to immediately begin its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
In a statement to reporters, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said, “If the former President desires to surrender himself to the jurisdiction of the ICC, the government will neither object to it nor move to block the fulfillment of his desire.”
He added that if the ICC requests Interpol to issue a red notice and send it to the Philippines, the government will take it seriously.
READ: Duterte dares ICC to begin probe immediately: ‘Baka mamatay na ako’
“But if the ICC refers the process to the Interpol, which may then transmit a red notice to the Philippine authorities, the government will feel obliged to consider the red notice as a request to be honored, in which case the domestic law enforcement agencies shall be bound to accord full cooperation to the Interpol pursuant to established protocols,” Bersamin said.
Asked for a comment, the Department of Justice echoed Bersamin’s statement, reiterating that while the Philippines is no longer part of the Rome Statute, it is still a member country of the Interpol.
“Thus when requests are made by the ICC through Interpol and Interpol, in turn, relays such request to our country, the Philippine government may have to give such request due course,” DOJ Spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a message to reporters.
READ: Gov’t obliged to accept, review Interpol notices – DOJ
In the quad committee hearing, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas asked the former president if he would cooperate with the investigation, including that of the ICC.
Duterte replied by saying the ICC is welcome to start its probe as soon as tomorrow, November 14.
“ICC, Ma’am? I am asking the ICC to hurry up, and if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow; this issue has been left hanging for so many years,” Duterte said.
READ: Duterte flips ICC off in profanity-laden attack: I don’t recognize them
“Ang tagal, Ma’am, baka mamatay na ako hindi na nila ako ma-imbestiga. So I’m asking the ICC through you na magpunta na sila dito bukas, umpisahan na nila investigation,” he added.
(It’s taking so long, Ma’am, I might die before they can even investigate me. So I’m asking the ICC, through you, to come here tomorrow and start the investigation.)