Drug War Victims, Kin Urge ICC To Continue Probe Against Former Administration

Hundreds of victims and their kin urge the International Criminal Court (ICC) to continue its probe into "crimes against humanity" committed under the war on drugs program in the past administration.

A 21-page public redacted report following a consultation process initiated by ICC Registry's Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS), shows the victims and their families "unanimously and strongly urge" the ICC to confirm the January 2023 Pre-Trial Chamber's decision authorizing the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC to resume its investigation on the violent drug war.

Results of the victim consultation process containing the views and concerns on behalf of 350 individual victims and 165 families agreed to the resumption of the investigation as "justice and accountability in the Philippines remain largely elusive." Victims and their families also "face enormous difficulties in seeking accountability using available domestic legal remedies," the redacted report dated May 22 said.

The victim consultation process was made following the decision of the ICC Appeals Chamber in March allowing drug war victims to express their views on the appeal filed by the government against the resumption of the probe in connection with illegal drugs. The ICC's appeals chamber earlier blocked a move by the Philippine government to stop victims and their relatives to participate in the consultation process. In its March 21 decision, the ICC appeals chamber said "It considers it appropriate for victims to be involved in these appeals proceedings," a report by Rappler said.

The ICC also allowed the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV) to submit written observations on the Philippines' appeals brief. The 28-page submission by the OPCV said the victims would be denied their rights to truth, justice and reparations if the ongoing investigation is stopped, the Philippine Star reported.

In March, the Philippines opposed the resumption of the ICC probe into the bloody drug war committed under the past administration. In the appeals brief, the Office of the Solicitor General argued that the ICC did not correctly assess the gravity of the case to justify further action from the court, according to the Inquirer.

In his response to the appeals brief, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said "extremely serious" crimes were committed and "appear to have been encouraged and condoned" by former President Rodrigo Duterte himself and other top state officials.