The International Criminal Court (ICC) maintained that the disqualification of Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from the case involving former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will not derail its ongoing investigation into alleged crimes linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign.
ICC spokesperson Fadi el Abdallah said the ruling of the Appeals Chamber “has no impact” on the case, emphasizing that Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang now oversees all work related to the Philippines.
A court document dated October 15 shows that the ICC Appeals Chamber disqualified Khan because he had submitted information on Duterte’s alleged crimes before assuming office. Khan’s submission, known as an Article 15 communication, reached then-Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on June 29, 2018.
Abdallah said the Appeals Chamber found no proof of actual bias. However, he noted that the judges saw reasons for a “reasonable appearance” of bias, since Khan’s earlier involvement could make an observer believe he had already formed an opinion about the case, which could affect his impartiality.
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor, in a separate statement, confirmed that it continues its independent and impartial investigation into alleged Rome Statute violations in the Philippines.
Niang and his multidisciplinary team now handle the inquiry and the possible filing of arrest warrant applications.
The Office said its team built the case through evidence it independently gathered from witnesses, states, international partners, civil society organizations, and open sources.
The ICC also reaffirmed its commitment to accountability. It said victims and survivors in the Philippines deserve justice, and the Office will continue pursuing the case with full independence and impartiality to ensure that justice prevails.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.