Vice President Sara Duterte has called for authorities to seriously address allegations made by individuals claiming to be former members of the Philippine Marine Corps regarding supposed irregularities connected to the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation involving her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a statement, Duterte said she had received information about the alleged coordination between certain Philippine officials and ICC investigators. She said she had formally written to the President to obtain the administration’s official position on the matter.
According to Duterte, the President reiterated that the government would not cooperate with the ICC.
The issue stems from an affidavit submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman by 18 individuals. The document contains allegations that some lawmakers and government officials supposedly received money from businessman Zaldy Co.
The claims have raised questions about possible irregularities related to the ICC’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity connected to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Duterte stressed that the matter should not be treated as a political issue. Instead, she said it should be viewed as a question of national sovereignty and the possible interference of a foreign institution in the Philippines’ internal affairs.
She urged authorities to look into the allegations and address the concerns raised in the affidavit.
The ICC has been investigating alleged crimes against humanity linked to the anti-drug campaign carried out during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The investigation has been a point of debate in the Philippines, particularly regarding issues of jurisdiction and cooperation with international institutions.
