Duterte ICC case: PNP says cops free to testify, cooperate

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday it would not prevent its officers from testifying before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in cases linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs.

“If they want to testify or cooperate, we say that it is their personal legal decision,” PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño told a press briefing in Camp Crame.

“We are not stopping or barring whichever member wants to testify at the ICC’s appeal,” he added. “The Philippine National Police recognizes its members who want to go to the ICC and testify.”

READ: PNP: Cops should seek legal advice if they want to testify vs Duterte

In a statement on Thursday (Friday in Manila), the ICC Office of the Prosecutor said it was looking for “direct witnesses to incidents” during the drug war, including members of the PNP.

Tuaño previously told the Inquirer in a text message that the PNP advised police officers who would want to testify at the ICC to first seek legal advice.

The ICC provided an online form for potential witnesses to submit their complaints “securely.”

READ: ICC prosecutors again urge PH cops to testify vs Duterte

Duterte is currently detained at the ICC in The Hague, the Netherlands, facing charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s anti-narcotics campaign, which killed thousands of Filipinos. /dl