MANILA — Malacañang said the government is prepared to investigate alleged drug-related killings under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., provided that evidence is formally submitted.

The statement came after Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, legal counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC), raised questions about whether authorities have considered investigating Marcos over alleged vigilante-style killings that reportedly continued after Duterte left office.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President remains committed to a “bloodless” campaign against illegal drugs and would not allow abuses to go unchecked.

“If there are pieces of evidence that can be submitted, then that’s the right time to investigate this matter. Hindi po gugustuhin ng Pangulo na mabahiran ang administrasyon na ito ng madugong extrajudicial killing dahil hindi po iyan ang kaniyang legasiya,” she said in a press briefing.

Pressed on whether the Palace would order a motu proprio investigation, Castro said concerned parties should provide details directly to authorities.

“Saan po nanggagaling ang impormasyon, kung sino po ang nagsabi niyan, magbigay agad sila ng kanilang mga detalye sa PNP, CIDG, NBI, para ito po ay maimbestigahan,” she said.

“Hindi po kailangang mag-utos pa ang Pangulo. Trabaho po ito ng mga investigative bodies natin para kung sino iyong dapat managot, dapat na managot,” she added.

Kaufman on Thursday cited findings from the Dahas Project of the University of the Philippines, which reported that 160 of 342 killings during the first year of the Marcos administration were attributed to state agents. He also noted that the figure rose to 362 killings from July 2023 to June 2024, with state agents allegedly responsible for 34 percent of cases.

Kaufman questioned why representatives of drug war victims were not demanding accountability for these incidents.

In response, Castro criticized Kaufman’s remarks and questioned his focus on Marcos instead of defending Duterte.

“Pag-amin ba iyon na talagang may patayan sa panahon ni dating Pangulong Duterte? Unang-una, nakakapagtaka na ang kliyente po niya rito ay ang dating pangulong Duterte pero bakit ang mata niya naka-focus kay Pangulong Marcos Jr.? Depensa po ba niya ito? Kasi kung depensa po niya ito, nakakatawa,” she said.

Marcos has previously maintained that his administration is addressing the drug problem in a “peaceful manner,” saying positive results are becoming evident.

Castro also clarified that the government would not discuss any petition for Duterte’s interim release should Kaufman visit the Philippines.

“First of all, I am not inviting him. If ever, everybody is welcome to see the beauty of our country. Welcome lahat ng tourists, lahat ng turista, pati pamilya kasama iyan. And if he will be coming to the Philippines, I am more than happy to treat him, buy him balut, bagoong, kwek-kwek, IUD, adidas,” she said.

“But I will not discuss about the interim release because it has already been dissolved by the ICC. So, pag-uusapan lang namin ang ganda ng Palawan, El Nido, Manila Zoo, lahat po iyan. Iyon lang po,” she added.

Duterte is currently facing a confirmation of charges hearing at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to extrajudicial killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign. The final hearing is scheduled on Friday, February 27, when the defense, prosecution, and victims’ representatives are expected to deliver their closing statements. The ICC will also review Duterte’s detention.