Marcos: Gov’t Neutral on ICC Probe into Duterte Drug War
ICC – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that his administration will neither support nor hinder the International Criminal Court investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war, which has been accused of resulting in widespread human rights abuses. Marcos emphasized that the Philippines would not rejoin the ICC, responding to Duterte’s recent statement urging the court to expedite its probe.
Marcos clarified that any decision to cooperate with the ICC rests solely with Duterte, remarking, “If ‘yun ang gugustuhin ni PRRD, eh hindi naman kami haharang dun sa ICC. Hindi lang kami tutulong.” This stance follows the government’s official stance of non-interference.
The drug war, initiated by Duterte, officially led to over 6,000 deaths according to police records. However, human rights organizations estimate that tens of thousands of predominantly poor men were killed by police or vigilantes, often with scant evidence of involvement in drug activities. Despite the international condemnation and calls for accountability, only nine officers have been convicted for extrajudicial killings.
Although Marcos has continued the anti-drug campaign, he has shifted its focus to emphasize prevention and rehabilitation. In 2019, the Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC under Duterte’s orders, but the ICC asserts jurisdiction over alleged human rights violations that occurred before the withdrawal, including those in Davao City during Duterte’s term as mayor, prior to his presidency.
Meanwhile, at the House hearing on November 13, 2024, former President Rodrigo Duterte clashed with ex-Senator Antonio Trillanes IV over allegations of suspicious bank deposits linked to Duterte’s family. When Deputy Speaker Jay-jay Suarez suggested Duterte sign a bank secrecy waiver, Duterte angrily retorted, asking if he should slap Trillanes. He then grabbed his microphone as if to throw it at Trillanes, resulting in a brief suspension. Trillanes alleged that Duterte’s family received P2.4 billion from 2011-2015, with some funds linked to drug lord Sammy Uy. On the other hand, former Senator Leila de Lima, seated between Duterte and Trillanes, refused to relocate despite feeling uncomfortable.