Follow us for updates
© 2021 reportr.world
Read the Story →

ICC Authorizes Full Investigation into Philippine Drug War Deaths

A 'widespread and systematic attack' against civilians.
by Agence France Presse
19 hours ago
Photo/s: Noel Celis / AFP
Shares

THE HAGUE -- The International Criminal Court on Wednesday authorized a full probe into Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs", saying it resembled an illegitimate and systematic attack on civilians.

Judges said there was a "reasonable basis" to believe that the crime against humanity of murder had been committed in the crackdown, which has left thousands of people dead.

Duterte pulled Manila out of the Hague-based court in 2019 after it launched a preliminary probe, but the ICC said it had jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member.

The ICC judges said that the "so-called 'war on drugs' campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation, and the killings neither as legitimate nor as mere excesses in an otherwise legitimate operation".

Evidence suggested that a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population took place pursuant to or in furtherance of a state policy," they said in a statement.

Continue reading below ↓

ALSO READ:

Duterte Tells Rights Groups: Take a 'Deeper Look' into Drug War

'Justice Never Sleeps': Families of Drug War Victims Welcome ICC Probe

Former ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda had asked judges in June to authorize the full-blown probe into allegations that police unlawfully killed up to tens of thousands of civilians.

The case will now be taken up by her successor, Karim Khan, who took over shortly afterwards.

Signature policy

The drugs crackdown is Duterte's signature policy initiative and he defends it fiercely, especially from critics like Western leaders and institutions which he says do not care about his country.

Continue reading below ↓
Recommended Videos

The firebrand leader was elected in 2016 on a campaign promise to get rid of the Philippines' drug problem, openly ordering police to kill drug suspects if their lives are in danger.

READ: What Duterte Said in His Weekly Speech (Nov. 23)

At least 6,181 people have been killed in over 200,000 anti-drug operations conducted since July 2016, according to the latest official data released by the Philippines in July this year. 

Continue reading below ↓

ICC prosecutors in court papers estimate the figure to be between 12,000 to 30,000 slain victims.

Prosecutors said that Manila has not denied people were killed during police operations but "have instead consistently contended that these deaths resulted from officers acting in self defense".

Duterte drew international censure when he pulled the Philippines from the court after it launched a preliminary investigation into his drugs crackdown.

But the judges said that even though the Philippines had withdrawn as a state party to the court, the alleged crimes took place while Manila was still signed up to the court's Rome Statute, so it could still probe them.

Set up in 2002, the ICC is a so-called court of last resort and only becomes involved in probing the world's worst crimes if its member states are unable or unwilling to do so.

'Death squad'

The ICC investigation will also cover alleged extrajudicial killings in the southern Davao region between 2011 and 2016, when Duterte was mayor.

Continue reading below ↓

They were allegedly committed by local police officers and vigilantes, including a group calling themselves the "Davao Death Squad."

"Persons involved in these killings in some cases appear to (be) the very same people that were later involved in the 'war on drugs' campaign," ICC prosecutors said. 

The majority of victims were young men suspected of small-scale drug dealing or minor crimes such as theft and drug use "while gang members and street children were also killed," prosecutors said. 

The tough-talking Duterte has repeatedly claimed the ICC has no jurisdiction over him and that he will not cooperate with what he has called an "illegal" probe, even threatening to arrest Bensouda at one point.

MORE HERE:

Duterte Refuses to Cooperate With Attempt to Investigate Drug War Killings

Duterte Refuses to Defend Drug War Before 'White People'

But rights groups welcomed the move, saying the ICC's decision "offers a much-needed check" into Duterte's deadly "war on drugs."

Continue reading below ↓

"Victims' families and survivors have reason to hope that those responsible for crimes against humanity could finally face justice," Human Rights Watch researcher Carlos Conde said.

Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.

Latest Headlines
Read Next
Recent News
More cities allowing minors to sign up for jabs.
Metro Manila is piloting the new quarantine system.
Ask yourself ‘why’ if you find these artworks funny.
You may donate cash or in kind.
The news. So what? Subscribe to the newsletter that explains what the news means for you.
The email address you entered is invalid.
Thank you for signing up to On Three, reportr's weekly newsletter delivered to your mailbox three times a week. Only the latest, most useful and most insightful reads.
By signing up to reportr.world newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.