15-8-2024 (MANILA) Former President Rodrigo Duterte has once again asserted his refusal to acknowledge the authority of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the Philippines. In a recent episode of the “Basta Dabawenyo” podcast, hosted by former presidential spokespersons Harry Roque and Trixie Angeles, Duterte made his stance clear, even going so far as to express his disdain for the ICC with a vulgar hand gesture.
Duterte remains a central figure in the ICC’s ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity, particularly concerning the thousands of deaths linked to his controversial anti-drug campaign during his presidency. The former president’s war on drugs, which has been widely criticized for its brutal tactics, has led to a significant number of fatalities during police operations.
In the podcast, Duterte questioned the legitimacy of the ICC’s jurisdiction, stating, “That ICC, what is that? Do they or do they not have jurisdiction? That’s my first question. I’m a lawyer, a former prosecutor. When I face a case in court, I always ask: Do I have the power? Do I have jurisdiction over the case I’m prosecuting? Let’s not talk nonsense, let’s go legal.”
When asked whether he would attend the Congressional hearing on extrajudicial killings, to which he had been invited, Duterte chose not to respond directly. Despite the possibility of being subpoenaed or held in contempt if he fails to appear, the former president remained noncommittal. Instead, he redirected his criticism towards the ICC, suggesting that the court should focus on more pressing global issues.
“So much is happening in the world—massacres here, massacres there. Even Americans, how many have they killed? What have you, the ICC, done about it? There’s so much injustice, so much violence, senseless and without reason, especially those perpetuated by Americans. And yet, you’ve done nothing,” Duterte remarked.
The Philippine government, through the Office of the Solicitor General, has previously stated that it will not obstruct the ICC prosecutor from conducting interviews with individuals accused of crimes against humanity related to Duterte’s drug war. However, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra emphasized that while the government has no obligation to assist the ICC, it also has no power to prevent the prosecutor from continuing with the investigation.
The ICC’s probe into Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign was launched after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber concluded in 2021 that there appeared to be a “widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population” as part of a state policy.
Duterte’s successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has also refused to cooperate with the ICC investigation and has not taken any steps to rejoin the international body, maintaining that the Philippines has a fully functioning judicial system capable of addressing such matters independently.
