THE Philippine government will file its appeals brief on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the past administration’s war on drugs by March 13, according to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra.

Guevarra also announced that a foreign counsel would assist the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on procedural issues concerning the filing of the appeal brief.

The ICC Appeals Chamber granted the Philippine government’s request for an extension until 4 p.m. (16:00H) of March 13 to file the brief explaining why the investigation should not proceed.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan opposed the Philippine government’s request to suspend the court’s decision authorizing the drug war investigation.

The Philippine government, under the Marcos administration, had previously asked the ICC to deny Khan’s request to resume the investigation, questioning the court’s jurisdiction over the Philippines.

The Justice Department reviewed 5,655 anti-drug operations resulting in deaths to determine whether to file charges against police officers involved.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Hector Lawas