Investigators of the International Criminal Court will be welcomed to the Philippines to pursue a probe into the bloody war on drugs if presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao wins the Malacañang office.
However, in the meantime, Pacquiao said he will respect that decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to bar ICC investigators into the country.
“Papayagan natin sila na mag-investigate sila sa ating basta hindi maabuso ang sovereignty natin. (We will allow them to investigate as long as they will not violate our sovereignty.),” Pacquiao stated during an interview with ABS-CBN talk show host Boy Abunda on Friday, Jan. 28.
The PROMDI Party standard bearer was queried about his stand on the ICC investigation into allegations of extrajudicial killing of thousands of suspected drug users and traders at the height of the execution of Duterte’s war against illegal drugs.
In an alleged bid to evade the ICC probe, Duterte ordered the country’s pull out from the international court in 2018.
ICC probers were also barred entry to the country.
Pacquiao was also asked about his stand on the drug war.
He cited Duterte for being able to take strong action against drug traders but he vowed to be conscious of the human rights of citizens suspected of involvement in illegal narcotics.
“Ang maiiba ay hindi iyong lalabagin mo ang karapatan ng ibang tao. (The difference is we will not violate the rights of citizens.),” he said.
Pacquiao said respect of the citizens right will be ensured by equipping police operatives with body cameras that will record live events during police operations.