The Philippine National Police (PNP) clarified that its officers “in their own personal capacity” are not precluded from cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation into the Duterte administration’s so-called war on drugs.
In a press briefing on Monday, PNP spokesperson Brig. General Jean Fajardo explained that while the PNP as an organization refuses to work with the ICC, there is no legal or administrative impediments preventing individual police officers from volunteering information to the international tribunal.
“Our President has already said that the Philippines will not cooperate in any investigation of the ICC because there is a question of jurisdiction. And even our Office of the Solicitor General and Department of Justice have already spoken. On the part of the PNP, we will align on the stand of the national government,” she said.
“But if there are any individuals who wish to cooperate in their own personal capacity, they are not precluded from doing so,” she added.
The ICC is urging individuals with knowledge of crimes committed during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs to reach out to the Hague-based tribunal.
In its recent public notice, the ICC encouraged potential witnesses to share information about alleged crimes against humanity such as killings, torture, and sexual violence between June 2016 and March 2019.
The tribunal also appealed to PNP members and other law enforcement agencies who were involved in the drug war operations.
Meanwhile, the ICC has opened an online portal where witnesses, including former and current law enforcement officers and government officials, may submit information about crimes committed as part of the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
