Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said on Thursday (December 4) that even without personally going to the Philippines, investigators from the International Criminal Court can probe the killings that took place during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

This developed as Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa recalled that he was promised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that he would not allow ICC prosecutors entry to the country.

Malacañang has yet to react to the claim of De la Rosa, whose name has been mentioned many times by a witness of the alleged state-sponsored killings that took place during the first two years of Duterte’s presidency.

Guevarra told justice beat reporters that the Philippine government is not duty bound to cooperate with the ICC as it probe allegations of crimes against humanity leveled against Duterte.

“As far as the government is concerned, it has maintained its posiiton that the state has no legal duty to cooperate with the ICC investigator,” he said.

The Duterte camp has been raising issue against the Marcos administration. in connection with ICC’s alleged bid to send investigators to the country to gather witnesses testimonies over the allegations against the former President.

Last week, former Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque claimed having reliable information that ICC probers have already set foot in the country and are now actually conducting the probe.

Roque also warned Marcos that his administration might find itself in serious trouble if ICC is allowed to investigate then arrest Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Guevarra, who served as Duterte’s justice secretary, allayed the fears aired by the ex-president’s allies.

“If ICC personnel had actually entered the country, the BI (Bureau of Immigration) would have the necessary information,” he said.

But even without setting foot in the Philippines, ICC personnel may continue the probe, he said.

“The ICC prosecutor can actually conduct his investigation without coming to the Philippines, as he has local groups providing him support and assistance,”said government’s top lawyer.

Meanwhile, De la Rosa told Senate reporters on Wednesday that he is totally convinced that Marcos’ pledge to him is “solid as rock”.

A close political ally of the Dutertes, De la Rosa said Marcos made a promise to him that he would not let the ICC to conduct its probe in the Philippines.