By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday (13 Nov 2024) urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to expedite its investigation into his administration’s war on drugs.
During a hearing of the House Quad Committee, Duterte was asked by Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas if he would cooperate with the ICC’s probe.
“I am asking the ICC to hurry up. If possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow. This issue has been left hanging for so many years,” Duterte responded.
“Baka mamatay na ako, hindi na nila ako ma-imbestiga. I am asking the ICC, through you, to come here tomorrow and start the investigation,” added the former president, who is now 79 years old.
Duterte further stated that if found guilty, he would “go to prison and rot there for all time.”
The ICC is investigating Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, which began during his presidency.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC’s Rome Statute in 2018 under Duterte’s administration.
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