Duterte slams ICC prosecutor's plan to reopen Philippines drug war probe
25/6/2022 19:47
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's office said on Saturday it was "exasperated" with International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan and his plan to resume an investigation into killings during the government's crackdown on drugs. Khan said on Friday that a deferral of the ICC's probe sought by Manila was not warranted and the probe should recommence as quickly as possible. Presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said in a statement that the Duterte administration has undertaken "investigations of all deaths that have arisen from lawful drug enforcement operations" and the ICC should let the government's efforts run their course. Last September ICC judges approved an investigation into the campaign in which thousands of suspected drug peddlers have died. Activists say many have been executed by law enforcement agencies with the tacit backing of the president. The ICC suspended the investigation in November at Manila's request. The government, whose drug war death tally runs through May 2022, officially acknowledges 6,252 deaths.
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