Jamaine Punzalan

Protestors demonstrate in support of former Philippines' president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be appearing, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Philippine ex-president Rodrigo Duterte was expected to make his first appearance at the International Criminal Court on March 14, to face crimes against humanity charges over his deadly narcotics crackdown. The 79-year-old was set to appear before judges for a short hearing where he is to be informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant. Nicolas Tucat, AFP/File

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

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/1768797375551AFP__20250314__372D637__v1__MidRes__NetherlandsPhilippinesJustice.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Protestors demonstrate in support of former Philippines&#x27; president Rodrigo Duterte in front of the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he will be appearing, in The Hague on March 14, 2025. Philippine ex-president Rodrigo Duterte was expected to make his first appearance at the International Criminal Court on March 14, to face crimes against humanity charges over his deadly narcotics crackdown. The 79-year-old was set to appear before judges for a short hearing where he is to be informed of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant. Nicolas Tucat, AFP/File</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it would neither compel nor prevent any individual from testifying in response to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/16/icc-issues-call-for-witnesses-in-philippines-war-on-drugs-investigation-0632">appeal for cooperation</a> in its investigation into the war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.</p><p>The ICC, through its Office of the Prosecutor, is investigating allegations of crimes against humanity, including killings, torture, and sexual violence, allegedly committed in the course of the anti-drug campaign from November 1, 2011 to March 19, 2019.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/20/victims-counsel-urges-icc-to-proceed-with-duterte-confirmation-hearing-1455">Victims’ counsel urges ICC to proceed with Duterte confirmation hearing; defense insists ex-president unfit to stand trial</a></div><p>In a post on its website, the Office of the Prosecutor said it was appealing for direct witnesses to come forward, including members of the PNP and other law enforcement agencies who could have been involved in the incidents under investigation. </p><p>Individuals who wish to participate may confidentially submit initial information through the ICC’s online portal.</p><p>PNP spokesperson PBGen. Randulf Tuaño clarified that the ICC’s move did not amount to a formal summons.</p><p>“‘Yung kanilang panawagan ay panawagan lamang at wala pang opisyal na summons na natanggap. Ito ay isang invitation lamang to cooperate voluntarily,” Tuaño said.</p><p>“Ang official line ng PNP, the PNP does not compel nor prevent any individual from testifying. Meaning ang PNP, hindi pinipigilan, pinagbabawalan ang sinumang miyembro na gusto or nais mag testify sa panawagan ng Internal Criminal Court.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/8/icc-rejects-duterte-camp-s-request-for-expert-report-on-risk-factors-1817">ICC rejects Duterte camp&#x27;s request for expert report on risk factors</a></div><p>Tuaño added that police personnel who are considering cooperation are advised to seek legal counsel, stressing that participation is a personal decision.</p><p>“Sinasabihan natin ang ating PNP personnel na ang kooperasyon is personal legal decision,” he said.</p><p>According to the PNP spokesperson, the organization respects due process and the legal rights of its members, including those who may choose to engage with the ICC based on the appeal issued by the international court.</p><p>The Philippines officially withdrew from the ICC in 2019, but the tribunal has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a state party.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/28/icc-chamber-rejects-duterte-s-appeal-for-interim-release-1817">ICC appeals chamber rejects Duterte&#x27;s interim release bid</a></div><div><iframe width="729" height="410" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m-HCnuc11jU" title="ICC calls for witnesses in Duterte&#x27;s drug war probe | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="830" height="467" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3xuYAxtaecs" title="FULL: ICC rejects Duterte&#x27;s appeal for interim release on all 3 grounds | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police said it would neither compel nor prevent any individual from testifying in response to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) appeal for cooperation in its investigation into the war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.</p>

The Philippine National Police said it would neither compel nor prevent any individual from testifying in response to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) appeal for cooperation in its investigation into the war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

PNP says it will neither stop nor force personnel to testify in ICC drug war probe

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PNP says it will neither stop nor force personnel to testify in ICC drug war probe

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 19, 2026 12:40 PM PHT

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