Duterte Reacts with Anger to ICC's Move to Resume Investigation into 'War on Drugs'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Rodrigo Duterte, the President of the Philippines who led the 'War on Drugs,' has opposed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) move to resume its investigation.

According to foreign media on the 26th, the Philippine presidential office expressed its position on the ICC's plan to resume the investigation into the War on Drugs, stating it is "very angry."

Spokesperson Martin Andanar released a statement the day before, emphasizing that "the ICC should not intervene."

Earlier, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced on the 24th (local time) that he had requested the court to allow the resumption of the investigation into the War on Drugs.

Prosecutor Khan stated in a release, "The Philippine government's request for deferral is no longer guaranteed. The investigation must be resumed as soon as possible."

In September last year, the ICC approved the prosecutor's request to formally investigate the War on Drugs, classifying it as a crime against humanity.

President Duterte led a nationwide anti-drug operation starting in July 2016, immediately after taking office, during which more than 6,000 people died. According to the government's official announcement, a total of 6,252 deaths were recorded.

Civil society groups have accused the police of indiscriminate killings, while the police have countered that the use of firearms was inevitable because the suspects were armed.