ICC prosecutor: Examination of Philippines continues despite withdrawal

March 19, 2019 - 9:34 AM
5799
The tower of the International Criminal Court in Netherlands. (The STAR/File)

AMSTERDAM — The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor said on Monday her examination into possible crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines would continue, despite the country’s withdrawal from the court.

The Philippines‘ withdrawal from the Hague court was formalized on Sunday.

Prosecutor Fatou Bensounda said in a statement the ICC continued to have jurisdiction over possible crimes committed during the period the country was a member.

Bensouda has been examining whether thousands of extrajudicial killings allegedly committed during Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on drugs are sufficient to warrant a formal investigation.

Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Robin Pomeroy