ICC urges PNP to testify against Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte over allegations of crimes against humanity perpetrated in the conduct of the drug war during his term.
The witness appeal of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) came months after the revelations by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla of a supposed arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, which neither other Philippine government officials nor the international court confirmed.
“The Office is appealing for direct witnesses to these incidents, including members of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies who were involved in these incidents, to come forward and speak with members of the Office,” the ICC said in a statement Thursday (Friday in Manila).
The ICC also provided an online form where witnesses can submit their complaints “securely.”
The ICC had first opened its witness appeal “microsite” in December 2024.
READ: DOJ heeds ICC ‘request’ to assist witnesses
ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti noted that, this time, aside from PNP personnel, the ICC also emphasized the witness appeal to former or current members of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, village, municipality, and city officials; those part of the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of government; and those who were directly witnessed killings.
“I think the ICC is repeating this call for witnesses to ensure that the investigation is thorough and comprehensive,” Conti said in a Facebook post on Friday.
ICC-accredited lawyer Joel Butuyan also noted that the OTP could still gather evidence and witnesses because the confirmation of charges against Duterte has not yet occurred.
From July 7 to Dec. 18, the OTP has said it has already handed over 1,303 pieces of evidence against Duterte, of which, 906 were tagged as incriminating.
In September last year, the ICC postponed the confirmation of charges following the request for Duterte’s camp.
“It’s also the Duterte’s camp’s fault why the trial hasn’t started yet. They’re the ones who delayed the trial, weren’t they?” Conti said. “So while we’re not stepping foot in the trial proper, the ICC prosecutor is still free to gather more evidence.”
“The evidence it (OTP) gathers can be used against former President Duterte, Sen. Bato dela Rosa, and other co-perpetrators,” Butuyan also told Inquirer.
Last November, Remulla said that the ICC had issued a warrant to arrest dela Rosa, but other government officials said they have yet to receive a formal document.
Since then, dela Rosa, who was the PNP chief under Duterte’s term from 2016 to 2018, has been absent from the Senate.
On March 12, 2025, Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and detained at Villamor Air Base the same day. He has since been held in The Hague.
A complaint against Duterte was filed with the ICC in June 2017. In March 2018, Duterte announced the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the court.
However, the withdrawal took effect a year later, in March 2019, allowing the ICC to retain jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, while the country was still a member.
At least 6,000 people were killed during the war on drugs under Duterte’s administration, according to official government data. However, human rights watchdogs and the ICC prosecutor estimate the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019. /mcm /das
