The ICC investigation on the drug war: What civil society can do
The ICC investigation on the drug war: What civil society can do
RAPPLER OPINION
July 23, 2023
‘Civil society has a big role to play in ensuring that that justice be done’
By Alphonsus P. Burgos
On July 18, 2023, the International Criminal Court junked the Philippine government’s appeal to stop the ongoing investigation on the extrajudicial killings that accompanied the war on drugs in the Philippines, which took place from 2011 to 2019 while the Philippines was still a state party of the Rome Statue and covered by the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
As a reaction to the adverse ruling, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the recommendation of Solicitor General Meynardo Guevarra and Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla not to cooperate with the ICC on the grounds that it does not have any jurisdiction over the Philippines and to preserve national sovereignty. The SOJ secretary vowed not to allow entry of ICC investigators. Should a warrant of arrest or summons be issued against those who are accused of committing murder and crimes against humanity, the government will not cooperate in serving these. Some members of the Senate and the House of Representatives have promised to protect those under investigation
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