Duterte will be held accountable, say groups

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and government officials can still face investigation by the International Criminal Court for thousands of killings under his anti-drug war until his decision to withdraw from the tribunal takes effect after a year, said rights groups.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr said Duterte did not decide to withdraw from the Rome Statute, which established the international tribunal, to escape accountability but to protest an ICC prosecutor’s decision to start examining a complaint against Duterte while Philippine courts continue to operate.

“It’s very, very clear that our courts are working and nobody can escape from accountability, including a president,” Roque told a news conference yesterday.

Human Rights Watch said the ICC could still prosecute heinous crimes in the Philippines until a withdrawal takes effect a year after Duterte notifies the UN secretary-general.

“Duterte’s statement highlights the urgent need for a UN-led investigation into the drug war killings,” the US-based rights watchdog said in a statement.

A non-government group, Tindig Pilipinas, said that despite Duterte’s tough talk, his move was a clear sign of his “supreme cowardice” to face an independent court that he could not influence over the drug killings.