Palace: ICC has no jurisdiction on drug war

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang maintained yesterday that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction to probe the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

“We reiterate our position that the ICC has no jurisdiction to probe our campaign against illegal drugs,” acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said in response to presidential bet Leody de Guzman’s remark that he will pursue justice against President Duterte if elected on May 9.

Andanar said the ICC is a “court of last resort,” utilized when a state party is unwilling to investigate and prosecute those who violate laws.

“This is not the case in the Philippines where our criminal justice system remains capable and functional and our legal institutions continue to be independent and impartial,” he said.

In an interview, De Guzman said he will allow the ICC to conduct an investigation into the administration’s drug war, which according to government data killed around 6,000 drug suspects since Duterte came to power in 2016.

“We’ll welcome the ICC and we’ll hold President Duterte accountable if he has wrongdoings,” De Guzman said.

Duterte has repeatedly lambasted the ICC and human rights groups for criticizing his anti-illegal drug campaign.

Last month, Duterte said he wanted his successor to continue his war on drugs, as he worried about its possible resurgence as the end of his term nears.