Manila, Philippines – The House Quad Committee will not submit its investigation findings on the war on drugs under former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to Committee Chairman and Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers.
Barbers reiterated on March 17, 2025, that the committee would not provide recommendations or evidence from its probe if requested by the ICC.
Barbers emphasized that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC, having officially withdrawn in March 2019 after then-President Duterte announced the country’s exit in 2018.
The committee’s investigation began in 2016, when the country was still an ICC member.
He noted that the ICC could access hearing details online, as all sessions are recorded and available on the House of Representatives’ official Facebook and YouTube pages.
“If the ICC would want to use this, it’s up to them because it’s already public record,” Barbers said on August 8, 2024.
Findings for Domestic Use Only
The committee chairman clarified that its findings are strictly for domestic use, a stance he has upheld since last year.
On December 22, 2024, he stated:
“The progress report and other pertinent panel documents would only be lodged with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Even if they [ICC] ask, we won’t give it to them because we are not a member of the ICC.”
Addressing rumors of an ICC arrest warrant for Duterte, Barbers reaffirmed the government’s position on March 9, 2025:
“As the President said, we will not cooperate; we will not submit to the ICC’s request because we are not a member.”
Duterte Appears Before Quad Committee
Former President Duterte personally appeared before the Quad Committee, answering questions on illegal drugs and extrajudicial killings.
Testimonies from former Senator Leila De Lima and former PCSO General Manager Royina Garma revealed that the “Davao Model” served as the blueprint for the nationwide drug war, including the reward system for police officers linked to “Oplan Tokhang”, which was implemented under then-PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
The ICC launched its own investigation into the drug war in 2018, focusing on alleged crimes against humanity.
Despite the Philippines’ withdrawal, the ICC claims jurisdiction over incidents that occurred while the country was still a member, up to March 17, 2019.
On December 9, 2024, Barbers reiterated that all gathered evidence would be turned over to national agencies such as the DOJ, Ombudsman, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Philippine National Police (PNP)—not international bodies.
