International court may be next for Duterte

In this April 29, 2017 file photo, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte gestures while addressing the media following the conclusion of the 30th ASEAN Leaders' Summit in Manila, Philippines. Philippine lawmakers have killed an impeachment complaint accusing President Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity for the thousands of people who have died in his anti-drug crackdown, but an International Criminal Court case is possible. (AP photo)

MANILA -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte acknowledged Tuesday that allegations he induced extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs could be raised to the International Criminal Court (ICC) after an impeachment case failed in the House of Representatives.

“Yeah, he can go ahead. He is free to do it. This is a democracy,'' Mr Duterte said in reaction to a lawmaker saying he was considering bringing a case against the Philippine leader to the court in The Hague, Netherlands.

The impeachment complaint killed by a House committee Monday accused Mr Duterte of multiple murders and crimes against humanity for adopting a state policy of inducing police and vigilantes into killing more than 8,000 suspected drug users and dealers outside the rule of law. The complaint also accused him of corruption, unexplained wealth, and taking a “defeatist stand'' against China in the territorial row in the South China Sea.

“It is true that there are deaths -- is there a drug war where no one is killed?'' Mr Duterte said. “But not in the character and kind that I was dished out, including ordering the killing of a child.''

The dismissal of Rep. Gary Alejano's complaint was widely expected since the House is dominated by Mr Duterte’s allies. But the president's critics hope the procedure could bolster a lawsuit filed against him by a Filipino lawyer before the ICC for alleged extrajudicial killings by showing that domestic efforts to stop Mr Duterte have failed.

The dismissal of the complaint, filed in March, bars any new impeachment case against Mr Duterte until next March.

Since taking office in June, Mr Duterte's war on drugs has killed 7,000 to 9,000 suspected drug dealers and addicts, according to human rights groups. The government refutes that, releasing data on May 2 showing nearly 4,600 people have been killed in police anti-drug operations and homicides found to be drug-related.

During Monday's hearing, Rep. Rodolfo Farinas, the majority floor leader, asked Mr Alejano repeatedly if he had personal knowledge of allegations he made in his complaint.

Mr Alejano said he had no personal knowledge as a witness, but that he had personal knowledge as a complainant based on official records, affidavits of witnesses and Mr Duterte's public pronouncements. Several lawmakers pointed to that distinction to say Mr Alejano's allegations were hearsay.

Forty-two of 49 committee members then voted to declare the complaint insufficient in substance.

A frustrated Mr Alejano told reporters that he'll discuss with his colleagues from the Magdalo party whether they should file their own complaint before the ICC.

He said it was clear that the impeachment procedure “was railroaded'' and that the House “is not independent.''