International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed the ongoing preliminary examination on the complaint of alleged crimes against humanity against President Rodrigo Duterte.
Last August 28, 2018, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) represented activists and families of eight alleged victims of the Duterte administration’s anti-drug war in filing a 50-page complaint before the ICC.
NUPL received the letter from ICC stating, “communication relates to a situation already under preliminary examination by the Office of the Prosecutor.”
According to the letter dated April 4, the communication will be analyzed, with the assistance of other related communications and other available information.
The international court assured NUPL that once a decision is taken on whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation, it (ICC) will advise the legal group promptly and will provide reasons for the decision.
President Duterte and his spokesman Sec. Salvador Panelo repeatedly insisted that the ICC has no jurisdiction over him, asserting that Rome Statute is not valid in the Philippines for not being published in any publication of national circulation.
