Spokesman of ICC Confirms Duterte Drug War Probe “Ongoing”
ICC – The International Criminal Court spoke on the investigation of the Duterte drug war and the possibility of issuing more arrest warrants.
Former Philippine Preside Rodrigo Roa Duterte is currently under the custody of the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands. Amid his detention in the foreign country for more than three weeks now, an investigation over his arrest is taking place in the Philippines.
Malacañang even suggested that Senator Imee Marcos who leads the Senate probe on Duterte’s arrest should invite international law experts for clarity. Countless Duterte supporters call on the government and the Supreme Court to order the return of the former President to the country.
The ICC welcomed the arrest of former Pres. Duterte. The former President appeared remotely before the pre-trial chamber of the ICC last March 15 and the confirmation of his charges is scheduled on September 23.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is back in the Philippines after the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his ICC case has been finalized. His lead counsel is British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman.
Nicholas Kaufman previously confirmed that they are “working on” the interim release bid of Duterte. Another member of the legal team of the former Philippine President is French lawyer Dov Jacobs.
Recently, the International Criminal Court spoke anew on the investigation of the Duterte drug war. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, ICC spokesman Fadi El Abdallah confirmed that the probe is ongoing.
The ICC Spokesman further revealed that the prosecutor may present their findings to the judges and it is up to the judges to decide on whether or not there is a need to issue more arrest warrants.
“The ICC prosecutor and his office are continuing to investigate and if they have sufficient evidence, they will present it to the judges, and the judges will decide whether to issue…arrest warrants,” Abdallah said.
The ICC Spokesman refused to give more details as “investigations are ongoing and confidentiality is a key element” on the probe. Without the foreign court naming him, Senator Bato dela Rosa previously claimed that he is the number two target in the probe.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa previously explained his changed of stance over the possible ICC arrest. Contrary to his previous statement that he will surrender himself peacefully to the foreign court if all legal remedies fail, he now considers hiding from the authorities.