The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday they recognize the possible return of the Philippines as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Calavano.
“The [DOJ] acknowledges the calls to submit the report from the Quad Committee of Congress regarding the drug war killings under former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC). We also acknowledge calls to rejoin the ICC,” Clavano told the media.
He emphasized that under the Constitution, “the President is the chief architect of the country’s foreign policy” as such, the agency “will fully abide by and adhere to the President’s foreign policy direction on this matter.”
In 2019, the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC following its withdrawal under the Duterte administration, becoming the second country to leave the said tribunal.
The ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
Calls for the Philippines to rejoin the ICC resurfaced after new testimonies from key players in the drug war during the recent public hearing of the House of Representatives Quad Committee, which is investigating issues related to extrajudicial killings.
