Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 20) — The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision junking the Philippines’ bid to block the resumption of the investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war marks the final straw, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.
In a statement, Guevarra said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “agreed” to stop the country’s engagement with the tribunal.“I have discussed this matter personally with PBBM and we have agreed that our appeal to the ICC appeals chamber is the end of our engagement with the ICC,” he said.“We just really waited for the decision,” he added.On Tuesday, the ICC said its probe into the bloody crackdown on illegal drugs during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte would continue after the government’s petition was “rejected by the appeals chamber by majority, and that the impugned decision is therefore confirmed.”
READ: ICC to continue probe into Duterte’s drug war; court chamber junks PH appeal
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has advised Duterte and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, the first police chief during the war on drugs, to not travel to countries where the ICC can “influence the judicial system.”
Since the ICC has no police force, it relies on state cooperation for the arrest or surrender of suspects. According to the ICC, nations included in the Rome Statue “shall cooperate fully with the Court in its investigation and prosecution of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court.”
A total of 123 countries are states parties to the Rome Statue, the tribunal noted. The Philippines is no longer a member.Remulla warned the entry of ICC’s investigators into the Philippines would be considered a crime and a usurpation of the government’s authority.
READ: Remulla: ICC entry to PH for drug war probe ‘usurpation of authority’
‘Chance to prove Marcos’ commitment’
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said the ICC decision to resume its drug war probe is a chance for Marcos to prove his commitment of ensuring accountability for human rights violations during his term.
“CHR encourages the government of the Philippines to view this decision as an opportunity to give better meaning to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s commitment at the onset of his presidency to ensure a ‘high-level of accountability’ for human rights violations during his term,” the agency said in a statement.
It added that the continuation of the investigation is part of the \”due process\” to uphold the rights of the victims, as well as the accused.
The CHR also clarified that the ICC probe is separate and distinct from its own independent investigation into alleged killings and other human rights violations linked to Duterte’s drug war.
Citing its 2022 report, the CHR said it has opened 3,790 investigations into drug-related killings from 2016 through 2021.
