MANILA — As its investigation into the Philippines’ bloody anti-illegal drugs campaign advances, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has renewed its appeal for witnesses to come forward, urging those with direct knowledge of alleged abuses to submit information through a newly launched online platform.
In a social media post, the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor said it continues to probe allegations of crimes against humanity tied to the so-called war on drugs, covering incidents that allegedly occurred between November 2011 and March 2019 — spanning the period when Rodrigo Duterte served as Davao City mayor and later as president.
“The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is investigating allegations of crimes against humanity perpetrated in the Philippines, including killings, torture and sexual violence, as part of the so-called War on Drugs campaign between November 2011 and March 2019,” the ICC said.
The prosecutor’s office specifically called on individuals with firsthand knowledge of the incidents — including current and former members of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies — to coordinate directly with ICC investigators.
“The Office is appealing for direct witnesses to these incidents, including members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies who were involved in these incidents, to come forward and speak with members of the Office,” the statement added.
To facilitate submissions, the ICC directed the public to provide information through a dedicated microsite. The appeal was released in English, Tagalog, and Visayan to reach a broader audience nationwide.
The renewed call comes amid continuing developments in Duterte’s case before the ICC. Earlier this month, his lawyer Nicholas Kaufman submitted a consolidated medical report prepared by experts commissioned by the Duterte camp, claiming the former president’s health has significantly deteriorated and warrants his release from detention.
The medical findings were attached to a 12-page pleading filed on January 9 before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I, following — by more than a month — the release of separate and joint assessments by a three-member panel of court-appointed experts evaluating Duterte’s fitness to stand trial.
Duterte is facing 49 counts of murder and attempted murder linked to the anti-drug campaign, which authorities estimate led to the deaths of at least 6,200 suspected drug personalities during his tenure as mayor and later as president./PN
