Former president Rodrigo Duterte just shrugged off the International Criminal Court’s decision to dismiss the government’s appeal to stop the investigation into “crimes against humanity” related to those killed in the war on drugs.
On Tuesday, the ICC announced that they would continue investigating human rights violations related to the campaign, which has killed more than 6,000 to 30,000 people. Some of them proved innocent and planted with evidence.
“[Former President Rodrigo Duterte] has shrugged off the ICC’s decision dismissing the Sol-Gen’s appeal from an Order of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber authorizing the ICC to pursue Preliminary Examination on the Drug War,” said former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque last night.
“FPRRD has always maintained that as an independent and sovereign state, only Philippine courts can try any crime committed in Phl [territory].”
At first, the bereaved families and human rights advocates welcomed the ICC’s decision, while promising to cooperate with the investigation to achieve the demanded justice for those who died.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said that he is “unbothered” regarding the continuation of the ICC investigation.
The senator is remembered as the former chief of the Philippine National Police, who led the campaign that led to the deaths of thousands.
Duterte shrugs off ICC’s decision on drug war
“[Duterte] has time and again said that because of this, he will face all his accusers anytime but before Philippine courts and before Filipino Judges only,” Roque added.
Duterte and the current administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continue to insist that the ICC has no right to investigate and try the country after the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in March 2019. The Rome Statute is the treaty that established the ICC.
In May, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr admitted that there were alleged abuses by some elements in the government during the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte and that the illegal drug syndicates grew stronger, richer and more influential.
Marcos indicated that this is the reason why his government formed a commission and resigned the police officers from colonel up.
But Marcos refused to assess the drug war of the previous administration because he said it was not correct.
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