Palace hails Karim Khan’s move to defer probe of Duterte drug war

By Prince Golez

Despite the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to suspend its investigation into the war on drugs under the Duterte administration, Malacañang reiterated that the Hague-based court does not have jurisdiction in the country.

“We reiterate that it is the position of the Philippine government that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over it,” acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Saturday.

Nograles added that ICC’s lack of jurisdiction over the probe does not preclude the government from communicating with the international tribunal.

“And it should be stressed that the government’s communication to the ICC was conditioned on the fact that in making that communication the Philippine government was not waiving its position regarding the ICC’s lack of jurisdiction,” according to the official.

Meanwhile, Nograles welcomed the “judiciousness” of British lawyer Karim Khan, the new ICC prosecutor, “who has deemed it fit to give the matter a fresh look.”

The Palace, he also said, believes that “the matter will be resolved in favor of the exoneration of our government and the recognition of the vibrancy of our justice system.”

Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Eduardo Malaya, in a letter dated November 10, asked the ICC to defer the investigation on the crimes allegedly committed during the campaign against illegal drugs to the local authorities.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)