JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to stop meddling in the country’s justice system.

This, as the tribunal investigates allegations of unnecessary deaths and abuses during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“Just a fair warning: Do not monkey around with our legal system, ” Remulla said in a chance interview. “If they want to put into themselves the judicial powers of this country, then they will be committing a violation of our legal system, ” he continued.

Remulla, a former lawmaker from Cavite, maintained that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the Philippines as it is no longer a signatory of the Rome Statute.

Remulla also stated that lawmakers were right to express their support for former President Rodrigo Duterte, adding that the ICC is a political body that serves to advance the political agenda of many people.

He noted that there is no mechanism to justify the ICC’s investigation into the drug war campaign.

The ICC Appeals Chamber recently granted the Philippine government’s request for an extension of time to file an appeal brief on the investigation.

The Justice Department led a panel of government agencies, including law enforcement units, in reviewing anti-drug operations that resulted in deaths to determine whether charges should be filed against the police officers involved.

The DOJ has been given unprecedented access to the Philippine National Police’s records of deaths during the anti-drug campaign.

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Hector Lawas