MANILA — The International Criminal Court has launched an online portal where individuals with credible information about the Duterte administration's so-called war on drugs can submit their contact details and volunteer as witnesses.

The ICC is investigating former President Rodrigo Duterte and his aides for possible crimes against humanity committed during his brutal anti-narcotics campaign — which saw thousands of drug personalities killed — as well as during the implementation of the alleged Davao Death Squad when he was still Davao City mayor.

The ICC Witness Appeal, available in English and Filipino, allows individuals to anonymously submit their contact information, such as telephone numbers and email addresses, which could be used by the Hague-based tribunal to reach out to them in the future.

It also asks for a "memorable word" that will be used by the witnesses to verify that the person reaching out is from the ICC.

The following may fill out the witness appeal form.

1. Current or former police officer or drug enforcement agency officer
2. Current or former National Bureau of Investigation officer
3. Current or former barangay, city, or municipal official
4. Current or former government official, legislator, or member of the judiciary
5. Victim or eyewitness of a crime related to the war on drugs

The launch of the witness appeal follows a remark by Duterte, 79, challenging the international court to expedite its investigation into his war on drugs, saying he could die before it investigates him.

Duterte tells ICC to 'hurry up' with probe: 'Baka mamatay na ako'

ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti, a lawyer representing some drug war victims, sees this move by the ICC as the "tail end" of its investigation.

She told ANC on Monday that the court has already established who is most responsible for the crimes but would like to make "one last sweep" to see who else would like to come forward.

"They've already settled that crimes against humanity have occurred or have been committed in the Philippines. The question now is who should be taken to court?" she said.

Conti also said that the launch of the online witness appeal could be a result of the House quad committee hearings where new witnesses came forward.

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"Iniisip siguro ng ICC, hindi sila makapunta ng Pilipinas at makapagtanong-tanong then maybe they could use new media," she said. 

(The ICC may be thinking that since they cannot go to the Philippines and ask questions, then maybe they could use new media.)

The Marcos administration has adopted a hands-off approach when asked whether it would cooperate with the ICC investigation.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it would not cooperate with the ICC investigation. 

“Nagsalita na po ang ating Pangulo na ang Pilipinas ay hindi makikipagtulungan sa anumang imbestigasyon na isasagawa ng ICC dahil may isyu po sa hurisdiksyon. At pati po ang ating OSG at DOJ ay nagsalita na. Kaya po sa bahagi ng PNP, kami po ay makiki-align sa posisyon ng pambansang gobyerno,” PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a media briefing.

(Our President has already spoken that the Philippines will not cooperate with any investigation that the ICC will conduct because there is an issue with jurisdiction. Even our Office of Solicitor General and Department of Justice have already spoken on the matter. So, on the part of the PNP, we will align with the position of the national government.)

But she clarified that the PNP would respect the decision of private individuals who wish to voluntarily share information with the court.

WARRANT OF ARREST

Conti and other observers have said that the ICC may issue an arrest warrant for Duterte before the year ends. If that happens, it may signal the beginning of the trial, she has said.

In the interview, Conti explained that a request to cooperate with the court could come in the form of a summons or warrant of arrest 

"Pag warrant of arrest, parang mukhang tatakas 'to, pag summons imbitasyon pa lang," she said.

(When it's a warrant of arrest, it seems like they will escape. With a summons, it's still just an invitation.)

The ICC has no police powers and relies only on nations' law enforcement agencies to implement arrest orders.

Malacañang has said that the Philippines will cooperate with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) if it issues a red notice against Duterte in relation to the ICC's inquiry into his drug war.

PH will 'accord full cooperation' if Interpol issues red notice vs Duterte: Malacañang

In an earlier ANC interview, Conti warned that if Duterte is reelected as Davao City mayor, it could complicate the implementation of an arrest warrant, as local chief executives have some degree of authority over local police.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019 after the Hague-based tribunal started probing allegations of human rights abuses committed during his drug war.

It launched a formal inquiry into his drug crackdown in September 2021, only to suspend it two months later after the country said it was re-examining several hundred cases of drug operations that led to deaths at the hands of police, hitmen, and vigilantes.

The ICC's chief prosecutor later asked to reopen the inquiry, and pre-trial judges at the court eventually gave the green light in late January 2023 — a decision that the country appealed shortly afterward and lost.

The drug war has continued under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. even though he has pushed for more emphasis on prevention and rehabilitation.

—with reports from Agence France-Presse; Michael Joe Delizo, ABS-CBN News