Charles Teves
Netizens were delighted after the International Criminal Court (ICC) denied the request of the Philippine government to stop an inquiry by prosecutors into the anti-drug campaign led by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The court’s decision, announced by Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, means that the Philippines has run out of options to appeal.
This ruling follows the ICC’s announcement in January that it would resume its investigation into potential ‘crimes against humanity’ committed during Duterte’s presidency.
Since assuming office in 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte initiated a highly debated anti-drug campaign, resulting in over 6,000 deaths during police operations, as reported by law enforcement statistics.
A significant portion of these extrajudicial killings, targeting individuals suspected of involvement in drug-related activities, has taken place in the most impoverished regions of the Philippines.
Independent observers suggest that the actual number of fatalities may exceed the reported figures.
Netizens could not help but express delight over ICC’s decision.
ICC will continue its probe of Duterte’s “war on drugs” that killed thousands of our people.
The world will never be fooled by our clowns!
— Pari Koy (@pads_nosi) July 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/SuperGirl_Bunny/status/1681240630020931584?s=20
Ikulong na ang inutil na iyan!
— Hanzo (@HanzoTzy0907) July 18, 2023
There is a God after all. https://t.co/VKzgvOJton
— Junior Makabayan (@carolstreamguy) July 18, 2023
Kaya pala lumipad na papuntang CHINA! https://t.co/NYzEd3yLsJ
— ARC7IT3CT (@ARC7IT3CT) July 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/vince2681/status/1681232240234360832?s=20
DUTERTE SA KULUNGAN ✊ https://t.co/cc8Y2hc48H
— #DuterteSaKulungan (@LastJediPH) July 18, 2023
Pilipinas may sistema hudisyal, gumagana,PERO depende sa caso. kung mayaman siempre g panalo, ang mga pobre siempre natatalo. Mr. Tulfo, alam niyo kung paano gumagana ang hudisyal Pilipino. inacaso si ex Pressie Duterte dahil sa mga EJKs. akala mo BOBO ang ICC at mga human rights
— Lakhami Mukhey (@LakhamiMukhey) July 19, 2023
Duterte’s government, as well as the subsequent administration led by President Ferdinand Marcos, has strongly opposed the ICC’s investigation into the killings related to the drug war in the Philippines.
They have criticized the investigations, considering them to be unfair.
Initially, the ICC declared its intention to conduct an investigation in February 2018.
However, in November 2021, the Philippines requested a suspension of the investigation, stating that it was conducting its own review.
While the Philippines was previously a member of the ICC, Duterte decided to withdraw the country’s membership after the court initiated its probe into his drug war.
Even though the Philippines officially withdrew from ICC in 2019, the court still retains jurisdiction over crimes committed during the period of the country’s membership, which was between 2016 and 2019.
Marcos, who took over from Duterte, has expressed that the Philippines will sever ties with the ICC and avoid any interactions, as the government does not acknowledge the ICC’s authority in matters concerning national sovereignty.
A day prior to the court’s decision, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that if the ICC proceeds with the investigation, the Philippine government will not carry out any arrest warrants issued by the court.
He emphasized that the country possesses its own legal system to handle cases related to drug crimes.
Remulla has also criticized the ICC, alleging that it has ‘political agenda’ in its decision to resume the investigation.
He argued that such actions by the ICC amount to interference in the freedom and sovereignty of the Philippines.
