Push Admin

Former President Rodrigo Duterte  on November 13, 2024 during the Quad-Comm hearing on the extrajudicial killings, addressing alleged human rights violations from his administration’s war on drugs. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Quad-Comm Hearing

Adrian Ayalin

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173191566815020241113-duterte-quadcomm-MT-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Former President Rodrigo Duterte on November 13, 2024, during the Quad-Comm hearing on the extrajudicial killings, addressing alleged human rights violations from his administration’s war on drugs. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former President Rodrigo Duterte on November 13, 2024, during the Quad-Comm hearing on the extrajudicial killings, addressing alleged human rights violations from his administration’s war on drugs. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The Department of Justice task force tapped to investigate the war on drugs of the Duterte administration is eyeing the possibility of charging former President Rodrigo Duterte with violation of Republic Act No. 9851 or the International Humanitarian Law, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday.</div><p>Remulla also confirmed that the task force, which was created to prosecute the perpetrators of extrajudicial killings during the war on drugs, is specifically investigating the former president.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/6/doj-creates-task-force-for-investigation-of-ejks-to-assist-house-quad-comm-and-senate-1827" id="isPasted">DOJ creates task force for investigation of EJKs to assist House Quad Comm and Senate</a></div><p>Remulla stressed the &quot;spirit of complementarity,&quot; as the International Criminal Court is also conducting its investigation into the possible crimes against humanity in Duterte&#x27;s anti-drug campaign.</p><p>&quot;International Humanitarian Law ang ating pinupuntirya ngayon kasi (is what we are eyeing because) it is the law that the ICC is studying as well as the law that we have here, it is the law of the ICC that we are using right now, Republic Act 9851,&quot; Remulla said.</p><p>Remulla said that the possible charges to be filed on the war on drugs will be separate from and will not overlap with the ICC.</p><p>&quot;Even if we are not members of the ICC, the spirit of complementarity still applies,&quot; Remulla said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/13/duterte-tells-icc-to-hurry-up-with-probe-baka-mamatay-na-ako-1235" id="isPasted">Duterte tells ICC to &#x27;hurry up&#x27; with probe: &#x27;Baka mamatay na ako&#x27;</a></div><p>The Philippines quit the ICC in 2019 on Duterte&#x27;s instructions, but the tribunal has said it has jurisdiction over killings before the pullout, as well as killings in Davao City when Duterte was mayor there, years before he became president.</p><p>Official government figures estimate that more than 6,000 people were killed in legitimate drug operations, but human rights groups claim that as many as 30,000 were gunned down. </p><div><strong>OTHER CHARGES BEING STUDIED</strong></div><p>Remulla said he had a meeting with the task force on Monday morning.</p><p>Asked about the scope of its investigation, other laws possibly violated because of the war on drugs are also being studied by the task force.</p><p>&quot;Lahat ng puwedeng sakupin siyempre (Everything could be covered, of course) you are talking about several laws that are coming into play and you have the Revised Penal Code and other laws and you have Republic Act 9851,&quot; Remulla said.</p><p>When asked by Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas in a November 13 House hearing whether or not he was willing to cooperate with the ICC investigation, Duterte said, &quot;I am asking the ICC to hurry up and if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow.&quot;</p><p>Duterte, 79, claimed that the &quot;issue has been left hanging for so many years… Baka mamatay na ako, hindi na nila ako ma-imbestiga.&quot;</p><p>(I might die before they investigate me.)</p><p>&quot;So, I am asking the ICC, through you, na magpunta na sila dito, bukas. Umpisahan na nila ang investigation (They should come here at once, tomorrow. They should start their investigation). If I am found guilty I will go to prison and rot there for all time,&quot; he added.</p><div><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">The ICC may release a warrant of </span><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/30/icc-may-issue-arrest-warrant-against-duterte-before-end-of-2024-ex-solon-1715" style="box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(93, 155, 192);text-decoration:none;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">arrest for Duterte before the end of the year</a><span style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">, which could signal the beginning of trial.</span></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/28/duterte-says-he-takes-full-responsibility-for-bloody-drug-war-1237" id="isPasted">&#x27;Ako ang makulong&#x27;: Duterte says he takes &#x27;full responsibility&#x27; for bloody drug war</a></div><div><strong>—with Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OjqWHaF0Pz4?&amp;t=54s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Department of Justice task force tapped to investigate the war on drugs of the Duterte administration is eyeing the possibility of charging former President Rodrigo Duterte with violation of Republic Act No. 9851 or the International Humanitarian Law.</p>

The Department of Justice task force tapped to investigate the war on drugs of the Duterte administration is eyeing the possibility of charging former President Rodrigo Duterte with violation of Republic Act No. 9851 or the International Humanitarian Law.

DOJ eyes international humanitarian law case vs Duterte over drug war

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

DOJ eyes international humanitarian law case vs Duterte over drug war

Adrian Ayalin,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 18, 2024 04:06 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

drug war

war on drugs

illegal drugs

DOJ

Department of Justice

international humanitarian law

ABSNews

ANC promo

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.