Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 20) — Senator Risa Hontiveros appealed to the government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war to show consistency in its actions just like when Manila called on other nations to support the 2016 Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea dispute.
“Dapat consistent tayo sa ating behavior internationally. Kung sineselebra natin ang tagumpay natin sa The Hague…and we welcome the support of other nations and other regional formations in the world their support for our victory in the The Hague ruling, bakit ibang iba naman ‘yung ating paguugali dito sa International Criminal Court?” she told CNN Philippines’ The Source on Thursday.
[Translation: We should be consistent in our behavior internationally. If we celebrate our victory in The Hague and we welcome the support of other nations and other regional formations in the world their support for our victory in the The Hague ruling, why does it seem like we have a different attitude towards the ICC?]
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She was referring to the 2016 Hague ruling which recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone, and which nullified China’s claims over the disputed waters.
While the East Asian superpower continued to reject the ruling, other nations like the United States, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom, have expressed support for the Philippines.
Even prior to the latest decision of the ICC to continue with its probe into the bloody drug war, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said the Philippines will disengage with the tribunal.
In a statement Thursday, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said the president “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.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also earlier said the government will not implement any arrest warrant the ICC will issue.
According to Hontiveros, disengaging “is a very immature stance” and “it’s not the stance of a mature administration which claims to be governing a democracy.” It is also not the stand of a country that wants wider alliances with other nations.
“If we value national sovereignty, if we value rules-based approach among nation to resolve or prevent conflicts, dapat tanggap din natin that (we should accept that) our governments are accountable not to commit crimes against our own people,” the senator said.
While authorities claim that the country’s justice system is working, Hontiveros pointed out that out of the possible 30,000 victims of the war on drugs, only a few cases have been filed.
From the cases filed, only two, specifically the cases of Kian delos Santos, and Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, ended with conviction, she noted.
Hontiveros said the government cannot be selective in terms of justice if it accepts the solidarity of other nations for disaster relief, support for the Hague ruling, bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and people-to-people exchanges.
