The government has no plans to block or oppose former President Rodrigo Duterte if he chooses to surrender to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
This statement from Malacañang comes in response to Duterte’s challenge for the ICC to come to the Philippines and investigate him over the violent war on drugs during his administration.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin explained that if the ICC refers the investigation to Interpol and transmits a red notice to local authorities, the government will be obligated to honor the request.
Bersamin stated that the government must cooperate with Interpol in accordance with established protocols if a red notice is received.
Duterte attended a House hearing today, where he discussed the war on drugs during his presidency.
Bersamin emphasized, “If the former President desires to surrender himself to the jurisdiction of the ICC, the government will neither object to it nor move to block the fulfillment of his desire.”
However, if Interpol becomes involved and issues a red notice, Bersamin assured that Philippine law enforcement agencies would be bound to cooperate fully with Interpol.