A PRE-TRIAL chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has “invited” the Philippine government to comment on the request for resumption of investigation on alleged crimes against humanity in relation to President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.In an order issued on July 14, 2022, the ICC pre-trial chamber 1 urged the government to “submit any additional observations” on the possible reopening of the probe by September 8.It also ordered the Victims Participation and Reparations Section to collect the views and concerns of the drug war victims or their legal representatives during the period.ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was likewise instructed to submit any response to the observations of the Philippines by September 22.The ICC deferred the probe in November 2021 following the request of the Philippines on the basis that national authorities were investigating, or had already investigated the cases.In June, Khan requested for the reopening of the probe on the drug war in the Philippines after the government failed to provide any documentation to substantiate that the investigations are ongoing or complete, nor any details regarding concrete investigative or prosecutorial steps that have been taken.From July 2016 to May 31, 6,252 individuals were killed in the drug war under former President Duterte’s administration.The ICC probe covers killings committed in the country between July 1, 2016, since Duterte took office, and March 16, 2019, the day Duterte ordered the withdrawal of the country’s membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.Meanwhile, in a television interview, former chief of the Philippine National Police now Senator Ronald del Rosa reiterated that he will not participate in the conduct of any probe outside the country.Dela Rosa said the ICC probe is an insult to the country’s justice system, which is fully functioning.”Sila’y nakikinig lang sa mga biased na mga kalaban ng Duterte administration. In the first place, they’ve already shown their bias. Meron tayong korte dito. I am willing to face the court basta Filipino-skinned yung judge na magta-try sa akin, huwag yung mga puti na hindi alam ang problema natin dito. Hindi tayo magpapaalipin sa mga banyaga,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)