As the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected a petition to suspend investigating his predecessor’s deadly war on drugs, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared he would cut off relations with it on Tuesday.
During Rodrigo Duterte’s drug crackdown, police killed thousands of Filipinos, mostly low-level traffickers, and consumers.
Human rights groups and victims allege police systematic killings and cover-ups of suspects slain in self-defense. The ICC is investigating.
“It concludes our ICC engagement…. We’ve stopped communicating at this point “Marcos informed reporters regarding the failed appeal.
“We cannot collaborate with the ICC considering the very severe problems about their jurisdiction and what we consider meddling and essentially attacks on the sovereignty of the republic.”
If states don’t probe crimes, the ICC can. However, Philippines authorities claim they can prosecute crimes.
In 2018, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC’s founding treaty amid international criticism. The treaty allows the ICC to examine crimes committed by members.
Although Manila postponed the inquiry in November 2021, the court allowed its prosecutor’s plea to revive it in January.
Duterte insists he only ordered killing in self-defense. He is willing to stand trial for his drug war, but only in the Philippines.
His daughter Sara Duterte, Marcos’ running mate, is vice president.
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