ICC prosecutor mum on Rody arrest warrant

The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC-OTP) neither confirmed nor denied reports that an arrest warrant has been issued against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

- JANVIC MATEO

In a statement, the ICC-OTP yesterday said it "does not comment on ongoing investigations and has no comment on these reports."

"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 added.

The ICC prosecutor is currently investigating alleged crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines from Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019, when the country was a signatory to the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the international tribunal.

Aside from the Duterte administration's bloody campaign against illegal drugs, the investigation also covered alleged killings conducted by the so-called Davao Death Squad when Duterte was either mayor or vice mayor of Davao City.

Over the weekend, rumors circulated that an arrest warrant has already been issued against Duterte after he flew to Hong Kong to campaign for PDP-Laban senatorial candidates.

The former president addressed the reports in his speech before overseas Filipinos, saying he is ready to face arrest if there is indeed a warrant against him.

ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti, one of the lawyers for the victims of the drug war, said it is only the ICC that can confirm if an arrest warrant was indeed issued or requested by the prosecutor.

“This process (issuance of a warrant) is truly confidential, but it may be unsealed or made public if it serves the greater good,” she said in Filipino.

“As lawyers of the victims, we are not in a position to confirm the request or issuance of a warrant against Duterte at this time. We are also awaiting the announcement from Karim Khan, the ICC prosecutor, regarding this matter,” she added.