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The Department of Justice building in Padre Faura, Manila on August 24, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

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Pia Gutierrez

Raya Capulong

ABS-CBN News

<div><span dir="ltr" id="isPasted"></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171403081302720220824-doj-facade-GC-1.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">The Department of Justice building in Padre Faura, Manila. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Justice warned Thursday that government officials who would cooperate with the International Criminal Court in its ongoing probe into the previous administration&#x27;s drug war could be held accountable under the law.</p><p>The statement comes after former Senator Antonio Trillanes claimed that ICC investigators have directly communicated with around 50 active and former police officials on their role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.</p><p>DOJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said they were not aware of this development, but reiterated the government’s position that it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC over the Philippines and would not cooperate with the ongoing probe.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/24/pnp-to-take-cue-from-ph-government-on-icc-investigations-1727" id="isPasted">READ: PNP to take cue from PH government on ICC investigations</a></div><div><br/></div><div><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/mtemeN_KwTA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Clavano said that officials who defy the policy could be held liable for violating provisions of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.</p><p>“Well, as mentioned by the Solicitor General, this is a government policy. So, when a government officer or official is coordinating with the ICC against ‘no the direction or the orders and the policy of the government, there may be accountability involved,” Clavano said when asked in a Palace briefing if government officials are prohibited from cooperating with the ICC’s probe.</p><p>“So, it’s… you know, if there’s any law enforcement or government official that goes against the policies and orders of the authorities in position, then obviously there will be some sort of conflict of interest, there will be accountabilities and definitely liabilities that go with it.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/4/15/marcos-says-will-not-hand-duterte-to-icc-over-drug-war-1655" id="isPasted">READ: Marcos says will not hand Duterte to ICC over drug war</a></div><p>Clavano said that while retired police officials could choose to cooperate with ICC investigators in their personal capacity, the government would “not recognize anything that will come out of that conversation or coordination with them.”</p><p>The DOJ maintains that the Philippines has a working justice system “evidenced by a lot of different cases and reforms” that the government has been undertaking.</p><p>“And the commitment has been stronger to prevent and to hold responsible and accountable those erring law enforcement officers who engaged in this heinous crime I would say ‘no of extrajudicial killings,” Clavano said.</p><p>The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it had no information on Trillanes&#x27; claim. </p><p>&quot;Noong pumutok na yang balita na yan kahapon ako personally ay nagtanong sa mga relevant directorates natin at wala pong information yung mga directorates concerning dito sa mga alleged active PNP personnel na nakikipagtulungan sa ICC,&quot; said PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo. </p><p>&quot;Ang isang miyembro ng kapulisan ay bago magpahayag ng anumang official stand ng PNP ay dapat naipapagpaalam yan sa mas nakakataas na otoridad... Kung ikaw ay isang active personnel at you are performing any activities that is contrary to what is being stated officially ng PNP then possible na may kakaharapin pong sanctions ang sinumang pulis na hindi susunod doon sa tinatawag nating chain of command,&quot; she added. </p>

<p>The Department of Justice warned that government officials who will cooperate with the International Criminal Court in its ongoing probe of the previous administration's drug war could be held accountable under the law.</p>

The Department of Justice warned that government officials who will cooperate with the International Criminal Court in its ongoing probe of the previous administration's drug war could be held accountable under the law.

DOJ: Officials who will cooperate with ICC probe may be held accountable

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DOJ: Officials who will cooperate with ICC probe may be held accountable

Pia Gutierrez,

Raya Capulong,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 25, 2024 03:56 PM PHT

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Updated April 25, 2024 04:53 PM PHT

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