PNP firm on non-cooperation with ICC drug war probe

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it would follow the government's non-cooperation stance on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into the drug war of the past administration.

"We have courts that can hear any cases of abuse or irregularities among the PNP ranks and we have proven that because some police officers have already been charged, imprisoned and convicted. That is what the PNP will do, we would submit to the Philippines' jurisdiction," PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in Filipino in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

Fajardo's remarks came after former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, in a post on X, claimed that the ICC have "directly communicated" with over 50 active and former officials of the PNP in relation to its investigation on the alleged crimes against humanity or murder under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Trillanes was among the personalities who sought for the intervention of the ICC on Duterte's anti-drug campaign back in 2017.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr earlier said the Philippines will not cooperate in the ongoing ICC probe, stressing that it has no jurisdiction over the country.

He said Manila would not recognize any warrant that would be sent by the ICC regarding the matter.

The Philippines officially cut ties with the ICC on March 17, 2019. (PNA)