THE Philippines will not rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC), Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed on Monday, October 14.

This statement came amid rising calls for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to submit findings from a recent House investigation to the ICC, particularly concerning allegations of crimes against humanity related to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs.”

During the investigation, retired police colonel Royina Garma revealed startling allegations, claiming that Duterte offered cash incentives for each drug suspect killed during his administration's aggressive campaign against illegal drugs.

Bersamin communicated the government's position via Viber, stating, “The Philippines will not return to the ICC.”

He further indicated that the president is unlikely to reconsider the decision to refer the investigation's findings to the court.

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) has urged Marcos to present the evidence gathered from the investigation to the ICC to bolster its case against alleged human rights abuses.

The NUPL emphasized that the ICC must consider any relevant material related to the drug war.

Garma’s testimony was noted for revealing a systematic approach to the killings, suggesting complicity among law enforcement officials.

The NUPL described her account as a compelling piece of evidence regarding Duterte’s deadly campaign, indicating that it confirms previous insider accounts.

Official government records indicate that at least 6,200 individuals died during anti-drug operations throughout Duterte's presidency.

However, various human rights organizations contend that the actual death toll could range from 12,000 to as high as 30,000.

A study from the University of the Philippines released in July 2021 estimated that the drug war resulted in the deaths of approximately two individuals daily.(CMM)

• Tags
• #International Criminal Court
• #Lucas Bersamin
• #ICC
• #War on Drugs
• #Extrajudicial Killings
• #Philippine Drug War
• #Royina Garma
• #National Union of People’s Lawyers
• #NUPL
• #Human Rights