DAVAO CITY — Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday openly challenged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite its investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred during his presidency.
Speaking as a resource person during the Quad Committee hearings at the House of Representatives, Duterte bluntly remarked, “I am asking the ICC to hurry up. If possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow. This issue has been left hanging for many years… baka mamatay na ako, hindi na nila ako maimbestigahan (I might die, and they won’t have a chance to investigate me).”
However, as it stands, the ICC lacks jurisdiction to conduct an official investigation in the Philippines, which limits its ability to proceed with any direct probe into Duterte.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has repeatedly expressed that he will not permit the ICC to investigate Duterte, asserting that the court lacks authority over the Philippines, which he insists is no longer beholden to foreign powers.
As a former prosecutor, Duterte is aware that despite his challenge, the ICC cannot easily initiate an investigation due to the strict international protocols that must be observed. His comments, however, add to the growing calls for accountability regarding the human rights concerns tied to his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
