The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated on Saturday that it has not received any information regarding a potential International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant that might be issued in September against former President Rodrigo Duterte and others involved in his administration’s war on drugs.
DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez clarified during a news forum, “We are not aware of that,” adding that no government agencies have been informed of any such developments.
This statement comes in response to recent remarks by retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who claimed to have heard that the ICC might issue an arrest warrant against Duterte and other top officials next month. Carpio did not reveal the source of this information.
The ICC is investigating Duterte and his administration for alleged crimes against humanity linked to thousands of deaths in the drug war. Duterte maintains that the Philippines is not under the ICC’s jurisdiction following its withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.
Regarding the possible issuance of an Interpol red notice, Vasquez noted that any implementation would ultimately be decided by Philippine judicial authorities and law enforcement. He emphasized that while the country remains a member of Interpol, local authorities would determine whether or not to enforce any red notice issued.