Philippines "cooperate if ICC wants Duterte Interpol"...the current and former president's conflict intensifies

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is accused of committing crimes against humanity in the course of his "war on drug crimes," is likely to be investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The current government, which is at odds with former President Duterte, has stepped back from its existing "no investigation" policy and expressed its intention to cooperate if the ICC is internationally wanted through Interpol.

Philippine Chief Executive Lucas Versamin issued a statement, stressing that "Philippine law enforcement should fully cooperate with Interpol in accordance with established protocols" if the ICC inquires with Interpol and sends a red flag to the Philippine authorities.

Bersamin also added that if Duterte wants to turn himself in to the ICC, "the government will not oppose it or try to prevent it."

"We do not cooperate with the ICC," President Ferdinand Marcos also told reporters, but if the ICC takes red flag action, "we have an obligation to Interpol, and we must fulfill that obligation."

Marcos, who was elected in the 2022 presidential election as a running mate with Duterte's daughter, Vice President Sarah Duterte, has repeatedly expressed his refusal to be investigated by the ICC.

However, as the political alliance between the two sides has been broken, the confrontation has intensified recently, with impeachment being discussed.

Duterte has led a major drug crime sweep since he took office in 2016, during which police indiscriminate shooting killed about 6,200 suspects, the Philippine government said.

However, the ICC estimates that the death toll will range from 12,000 to 30,000.

In 2021, the ICC called the Duterte government's action a crime against humanity and launched a formal investigation.