The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Monday that it will not prevent its members from cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs.”
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño clarified that the decision to testify is a personal legal choice for individual officers.
“If they want to testify or cooperate, we say that it is their personal legal decision,” Tuaño said.
“We are not stopping or barring whichever member wants to testify at the ICC’s appeal.”
The statement comes after the ICC Office of the Prosecutor issued a call for “direct witnesses to incidents” involving the anti-narcotics campaign, specifically reaching out to current and former members of law enforcement.
While the PNP leadership expressed that they recognize the rights of their members to come forward, they also advised personnel to seek independent legal counsel before engaging with the international tribunal.
Tuaño emphasized that the ICC’s request is an “appeal” rather than a legal compulsion under Philippine law.
Former President Duterte is currently facing charges of crimes against humanity at The Hague.
ICC prosecutors recently reported that they have gathered over 1,300 pieces of evidence, including hundreds of incriminating documents, related to the thousands of deaths recorded during the drug war.
The ICC has provided a secure online portal for potential witnesses to submit complaints and testimony as the investigation progresses.
