ICC Prosecutor Requests Full Probe Into Philippines Drugs Crackdown

A prosecutor at the International Criminal Court on Monday requested an investigation into the Filipino government’s crackdown on drug-related crime.

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said an initial probe into the issue started in February 2018 "determined that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the crime against humanity of murder has been committed" in the Philippines between July 1, 2016, and March 16, 2019. The Philippines withdrew from the ICC on March 16, 2019, because of the ICC’s initial probe. Despite the withdrawal, Bensouda, whose nine-year term as a prosecutor ends this week, said the court still has jurisdiction, as the alleged crimes took place while the Philippines was still a member.