By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid rumors of his health condition, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has strongly chided the International Criminal Court (ICC) following allegations by former human rights lawyer Harry Roque that ICC investigators are already in the country to probe the “bloody drug war” under the previous Duterte administration that thousands of suspected drug pushers were reportedly slain in extra-judicial killings (EJKs).
Remulla reminded the ICC that the Philippines is no longer a member of the international body following the order of then-President Duterte to withdraw the country’s membership.
“It is their responsibility and duty to make contact with the DOJ by the principles of international law,” he said.
Surprisingly, the DOJ chief was seemingly oblivious that on November 24, President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. declared that the return of the Philippines to the ICC is “under study.”
On November 29, the House Committees on Human Rights and Justice after two joint meetings adopted the proposed House resolutions urging the government to cooperate with the ICC in its investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Remulla made his statement after learning from Roque, once a noted human rights lawyer who later served as presidential spokesman under the Duterte administration, claiming that ICC investigators have already been in the Philippines.
“They have to respect us. They have to establish a protocol. They have to deal with the duly constituted authorities of the country for this to happen,” Remulla quipped.
(IAmigo/MNM)