Philippines says Hague Tribunal will investigate Duterte over drug war
The tribunal can take cases only if a country’s own judicial system is unable or unwilling to pursue them
Thursday, February 8, 2018
The International Criminal Court is opening a preliminary investigation into accusations that President Rodrigo Duterte and other Philippine officials committed crimes against humanity in the government’s deadly crackdown on drugs. The inquiry would determine whether there was enough evidence to build a case. But presidential spokesman Roque said that the government’s crackdown, which has left thousands dead since Mr. Duterte took office in June 2016, was a “legitimate police operation,” and that Duterte welcomed The Hague-based tribunal’s decision. In a 77-page complaint filed to the tribunal, Filipino lawyer Jude Josue Sabio accused Duterte and other officials of mass murder and crimes against humanity. (See also: Int'l Criminal Court takes 1st step in probe into Duterte drug war)
