Manila: Malaca±ang on Tuesday said it would let the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) exercise its authority on possible requests to freeze the assets of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the AMLC would be responsible for deciding, should the International Criminal Court (ICC) see the need to freeze Duterte's assets.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro mentioned that if there is an issue or if the ICC issues an order, it would be referred to the AMLC as necessary. She emphasized that the origin of the request does not matter to the Philippine government, as the priority is ensuring that justice is served. Castro noted that the AMLC operates without prejudice and would act to provide reparation or damages if anyone is deemed to have been victimized.

Under Article 93(1)(k) of the Rome Statute, States Parties are required to comply with an ICC request to identify, trace, freeze, or seize proceeds, property, assets, and instrumentalities of crimes for the purpose of eventual forfeiture in relation to investigations or prosecutions. Duterte is currently in the ICC detention center in The Hague, Netherlands, following the implementation of an arrest order against him on March 11, as part of the international chamber's ongoing investigation into the Philippines' drug war.

Duterte is allegedly criminally liable for the crime against humanity of murder committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019, due to the war on illegal drugs waged during his tenure as Davao City mayor and later as the country's president.