ICC prosecutor: examination of Philippines continues despite withdrawal

Reuters
FILE PHOTO: The International Criminal Court building is seen in The Hague, Netherlands, January 16, 2019. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court's prosecutor said on Monday her examination into possible crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines would continue, despite the country's withdrawal from the court.

The Philippines' withdrawal from the Hague court was formalised on Sunday.

Prosecutor Fatou Bensounda said in a statement the ICC continued to have jurisdiction over possible crimes committed during the period the country was a member.

Bensouda has been examining whether thousands of extrajudicial killings allegedly committed during Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's crackdown on drugs are sufficient to warrant a formal investigation.

(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)