Philippines says it is leaving ICC, but court says it will not stop investigations
Manila — The Philippines has given official notice to the UN that it is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war, Manila said on Friday.The move comes two days after Duterte announced his nation would quit the court, and triggered warnings on Friday from a top tribunal official that it would harm global efforts to end impunity for the world’s worst crimes.In February, the ICC, based in The Hague, launched a preliminary inquiry into Duterte’s bloody crackdown on narcotics, amid allegations that actions by Philippines security forces amounted to crimes against humanity.Philippines police say they have killed roughly 4,000 suspects who fought back during arrest, but rights groups allege the actual number is three times higher and have accused the authorities of murder.The ICC opened in 2002 to try abuses in countries where national courts cannot or will not prosecute. Manila joined the Rome Statute in 20...
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