Philippines leader Duterte to withdraw from ICC

"Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has said he plans to withdraw his country from the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it began examining the country's drugs war...

The ICC in February began examining alleged crimes committed during the controversial anti-drugs crackdown.

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the court would be looking at reports of extrajudicial killings...

Mr Duterte said he would leave the ICC 'immediately', but the court says the process takes a year after an official notice of withdrawal...

The court can only intervene when national authorities cannot or will not act. It has no police force of its own, and must rely on local powers to arrest and bring suspects to them.

While in theory withdrawal would not stop the court's inquiry into alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was a member, it could prove difficult to make local authorities co-operate.

There are currently 123 parties to the ICC, including the Philippines. The US has not ratified the treaty, while countries like China, India and Turkey have never signed it.

On Monday, local media reported that the Philippine Senate had filed a resolution saying the country's withdrawal from international treaties would only be valid with its consent..."