Duterte vows to prepare for his defense vs. International Criminal Court

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday vowed to prepare for his defense for the full-blown investigation that will be conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the crimes against humanity allegedly committed in his administration’s drug war.

ICC HQ (fIle photo)

He made the remark acknowledging how the public wanted him to retire from politics.

“I will prepare for my defense. I accept the judgment of the people. It’s simple, they don’t want me to play politics. They want me to return to Davao and wait for people to talk. I will prepare for my defense for the ICC,” he said in a late-night public address.

He, however, warned the ICC against fabricating evidence against him.

“Don’t lie. Just rely on evidence. There are records. Do not fabricate to the point that you charge me over those who died of malaria. That’s nonsense. It might not be justice you’re seeking,” he added.

No jurisdiction

Despite his pronouncement, he said investigators have no jurisdiction to probe the administration’s drug war since local courts are still functioning.

“I’m a Filipino, I’m not an international body. We have our own judicial system here. Do not interfere. And like I said you never acquired jurisdiction over my person,” he said.

He also reassured police officers that he would protect them if they performed their duties, even if it meant killing drug suspects.

“There are police and officials scared about what could happen to me. I said, 'you’re stubborn. Didn’t I tell you that anything you do in the prosecution of the drug war, for as long as you obeyed the law, I will protect you,” he added.

Duterte said he was even willing to turn himself in to protect them, saying: “if anyone would have to be jailed, I’ll turn myself in.”

Last month, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber gave its green light to the request of its former chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, to conduct a full-blown investigation into Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

The ICC’s move to investigate Duterte’s drug war came despite the Philippines’ formally withdrawing its membership from the ICC on March 17, 2019, or exactly a year after it revoked the Rome Statute that created the international tribunal. (PNA)