Geline Salac

Dead bodies turn up on the streets in different parts of Metro Manila Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17685163115561768516312503.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Dead bodies turn up on the streets in different parts of Metro Manila Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>(UPDATED The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a formal <a href="https://www.icc-cpi.int/philippines/witness-appeal">appeal for witnesses</a> to come forward with information regarding the investigation on the Philippines’ controversial &quot;War on Drugs” this Friday morning, January 16.</p><p>The Office of the Prosecutor released a link intended to collect testimonies and evidence related to alleged crimes against humanity during the war on drugs.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/war-on-drugs">The War on Drugs: The Unheard Voices</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/06/01/22/over-7000-deaths-in-6-years-of-dutertes-drug-war-research">War on drugs: ABS-CBN research shows over 7,000 individuals killed in past 6 years</a></div><p>The move signals another phase of the investigation, which covers a broad timeline from November 1, 2011, to March 19, 2019.</p><p>The ICC is not only looking for victims but is also calling on those within the Philippine government’s own ranks.</p><p>The Office specifically urged &quot;members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies who were involved in these incidents&quot; to break their silence and speak with investigators.</p><p>According to the ICC, the scope of the investigation is focused on a pattern of systemic violence, including Extrajudicial killings, Acts of torture, and Incidents of sexual violence.</p><p>Recognizing the potential risks faced by those providing testimony, the ICC emphasized that the new link allows individuals to &quot;confidentially provide initial information.&quot;</p><p>The investigation seeks to determine whether these acts were perpetrated as a coordinated part of the national anti-drug campaign.</p><p>Duterte&#x27;s lawyer, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, claimed that the ICC Office of the Prosecutor&#x27;s call for witnesses &quot;would entail establishing his absolute innocence of the charge that he orchestrated an organised policy to murder criminals or gave instructions that members of law enforcement agencies should commit crimes.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Such an appeal, in my opinion, should not have been disseminated to the general public on the Court&#x27;s website. The Court is meant to be a neutral body and the system of law applied is adversarial,&quot; he said. &quot;This means that equality of arms between the parties to the litigation should be ensured and preferential treatment should not be afforded the Prosecution to the detriment of the Defence.&quot;</p><p>Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025  on his arrival from Hong Kong at the request of the ICC as part of its probe into his &quot;war on drugs&quot; that defined his presidency.</p><p>The ICC warrant for Duterte&#x27;s arrest said that as president, Duterte allegedly created, funded, and armed death squads that carried out murders of purported drug users and dealers.</p><p>He was brought to The Hague in the Netherlands on the same day he was arrested.</p><p>Duterte on March 14 appeared via video link before ICC judges. </p><p>Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, which was supposed to be held last September 23, was postponed to a later date, citing a request from Duterte&#x27;s defense team.</p><p> The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has rejected the request of Duterte&#x27;s defense team for his interim release.</p><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/qXBleBgGKkA??si=T8ugffvJKF_4-Cpa&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><br/></div><div> </div>

<p>The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a formal <a href="https://www.icc-cpi.int/philippines/witness-appeal">appeal for witnesses</a> to come forward with information regarding the investigation on the Philippines’ controversial "War on Drugs” this Friday morning, January 16.</p>

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a formal appeal for witnesses to come forward with information regarding the investigation on the Philippines’ controversial "War on Drugs” this Friday morning, January 16.

ICC issues call for witnesses in Philippines 'war on drugs' investigation

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ICC issues call for witnesses in Philippines 'war on drugs' investigation

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 16, 2026 06:32 AM PHT

|

Updated January 17, 2026 01:13 AM PHT

Read More:

rodrigo duterte

international criminal court

ICC

The hague

war on drugs

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