Manila, Sept. 24 -- Wednesday distanced itself from the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to formally charge former President Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of crime against humanity over the deaths linked to his war on illegal drugs.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Philippine government is not involved in the ICC's investigation or proceedings.

Castro said Duterte's fate now rests with the international court's prosecutor and drug war witnesses.

"No reaction. The Philippine government has nothing to do with the investigation, with the hearing or the proceedings before the ICC," she said.

"So, hayaan lang po natin ang mga prosecutors doon at mga witnesses na silang gumanap ng katungkulan...