The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Wednesday that it will assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in securing witnesses for the ongoing investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, which has led to accusations of crimes against humanity.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed during an interview on ANC’s “Headstart” that the ICC has formally reached out to the Philippine government. According to Remulla, the ICC requested assistance from the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program (WPP) to ensure the safety and availability of individuals who may testify in The Hague.
“There’s an official [communication] already. They have gone to our Witness Protection Program to secure the people who may be needed to testify in The Hague, and so we have given our support and cooperation as this request is well-founded,” Remulla stated. He emphasized that the government’s role is strictly limited to witness protection and facilitation, especially since many of the witnesses lack the financial means to travel abroad.
“These witnesses, most of them, have no resources at all. So we’re only helping those who have nothing,” he said.
This move by the DOJ came as a “pleasant surprise” to Kristina Conti, counsel for several families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims. Speaking to ANC’s “Dateline,” Conti welcomed the DOJ’s assistance, noting that it aligns with the needs of the victims seeking justice before the ICC.
“I would say this is cooperation with the ICC,” Conti said. “This is precisely one of the obligations of state parties—to protect witnesses and assist the court in the conduct of its proceedings.”
Previously, the Philippine government had shown resistance to ICC intervention following the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019. However, Conti noted that the DOJ’s latest move could signal a shift in approach.
She also expressed hope that this development might encourage more victims of the drug war to come forward. “With government protection now being extended, this could help build the confidence of other witnesses who have been too afraid to speak up,” she added.
The ICC’s case centers on alleged widespread abuses during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, which has drawn both international condemnation and domestic scrutiny.