Duterte to Withdraw Philippines From ICC After ‘Outrageous Attacks’

Duterte to Withdraw Philippines From ICC After ‘Outrageous Attacks’
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte points to photographers during an awarding ceremony for outstanding government workers, at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines Dec. 19, 2016. Reuters/Ezra Acayan/File Photo
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MANILA---The Philippines said on Wednesday it is withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to what President Rodrigo Duterte called “outrageous” attacks by U.N. officials and violations of due process by the ICC.

The decision marks an about-face by Duterte, who initially welcomed a preliminary ICC examination announced last month into a complaint, filed by a Philippine lawyer, that accuses him and top officials of crimes against humanity, committed during a war on drugs that has killed thousands of people.