Tribunal protecting witnesses, victims of Rody’s drug war

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor refused to comment on reports that it had already issued a warrant of arrest against former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing the need for secrecy to protect victims and witnesses alike.

“The ICC Office of the Prosecutor does not comment on ongoing investigations and has no comment on these reports,” the global tribunal said on Monday.

“Confidentiality is a crucial part of our work and is essential to protect the integrity of investigations and to ensure the safety and security of victims, witnesses, and all those with whom the Office interacts,” it told GMA Integrated News.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s camp said the former president is set to return to the Philippines today amid speculation that he has fled the country to evade imminent arrest by Interpol.

According to former government official Lorraine Badoy, Duterte is scheduled to arrive in Manila at 4:35 PM via Cathay Pacific at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

Similarly, ICC Assistant to Counsel lawyer Kristina Conti chose to be ambiguous on the supposed issuance of an arrest warrant on the former president.

“It could be true, but it is difficult for us to confirm it,” she said in a radio interview.

“That’s a secret. They [ICC] don’t usually announce it to ensure the arrest. Now, if you announce it, then there’s a risk that the suspect could flee,” she added.

Conti explained that in case a warrant is issued, it is likely to be sent to the Office of the President instead of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) because the Philippines is no longer an ICC member.

The Office of the Vice President (OVP) also confirmed that Vice President Sara Duterte is set to return within the week, though specific dates remain undisclosed.

Over the weekend, the Dutertes attended a thanksgiving event for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

As this developed, Malacanañg said the Philippine government has not received any official communication regarding an Interpol Red Notice on the Duterte patriarch.

Presidential Communications Secretary (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro addressed the issue during a press briefing, saying the Department of Justice (DOJ) is also reviewing its records.

“We have not received any communication regarding a Red Notice, and we have spoken with DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico, who confirmed that they are also looking into their records. As of now, there is no official communication regarding that matter,” Castro said.

The statement follows reports that a Red Notice had been issued against Duterte, who is facing charges at the ICC for alleged human rights violations related to his administration’s war on drugs.

Asked whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin had provided any new directives on the ICC case, Castro reiterated the government’s position of non-cooperation.

“There have been reports of an issued arrest warrant, but as we’ve said, we cannot immediately confirm this without a physical copy of the warrant,” she said.

“According to the DOJ, since the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC, the court has different options on how to serve the warrant,” she added.

When asked about the government’s stance on cooperating with the ICC, Castro maintained that the policy remains unchanged.

“We will coordinate with Interpol if the agency requests the government’s assistance,” she said.

For his part, DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano told reporters, “I can only really verify those documents that come into the DOJ, and as of today, we have not received any warrant issued by the ICC.” “What we are saying is that the government is ready if ever a warrant of arrest is issued by the ICC,” he said in Filipino.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, following the court’s move to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings linked to his anti-drug campaign.