The House Quad Committee, led by Chairperson Robert Ace Barbers, has announced that it will not submit its findings on drug war-related deaths during the Duterte administration to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Barbers explained on Sunday that since the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC, the investigation’s results are meant solely for domestic purposes.
Report for DOJ Only
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Barbers said the QuadComm’s progress report and other relevant documents will only be submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“We will not submit the progress report to them. Even if they ask, we will not give it to them because we are no longer members of the ICC,” Barbers stated.
He emphasized that the current administration supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stance, saying the ICC must conduct its investigations independently.
“We stand by the President’s pronouncement that if the ICC wants to investigate, they can do it on their own. We will not stop them, but they must source their own witnesses and gather their evidence independently,” Barbers added.
Background on ICC Withdrawal
The Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in March 2018 under then-President Rodrigo Duterte. The withdrawal became effective in March 2019.
Duterte justified the move by claiming that the ICC had made “baseless, unprecedented, and outrageous attacks” against him and his administration, particularly over allegations of state-sanctioned killings tied to his war on drugs.
Evidence and Recommendations
Barbers shared that the QuadComm has forwarded its recommendations to key government agencies, including the DOJ, the Office of the Ombudsman, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The QuadComm’s findings include a collection of testimonial and documentary evidence, which Barbers believes are compelling.
“The evidence we have gathered, especially sworn statements, carry weight. But how the courts will evaluate this is beyond our jurisdiction,” Barbers said.
What’s Next?
The QuadComm’s progress report is now in the hands of domestic agencies, leaving any international involvement off the table. As the ICC continues its inquiries independently, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the broader investigation into the controversial drug war.
