SIX YEARS years after the Duterte administration unilaterally withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute, justice remains elusive for thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings. The Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) strongly urges the Marcos Jr. government to immediately rejoin the ICC and restore the country’s commitment to accountability and human rights.
The withdrawal from the ICC, a deliberate act to shield perpetrators of grave human rights violations from accountability, has left countless victims of extrajudicial killings and other atrocities without recourse to justice within the domestic sphere.
The recent issuance of an arrest warrant by the ICC against Rodrigo Duterte and his subsequent arrest and detention in The Hague, Netherlands, underscores the crucial role of the international court in holding accountable those responsible for the most serious crimes of international concern.
This development validates the long-standing clamor for justice by the victims and their families, who have been systematically denied redress within the Philippine justice system, especially during the Duterte administration.
By rejoining the ICC, the Philippines reaffirms its commitment to international justice and strengthens its ability to hold human rights violators accountable.
The ICC complements, rather than replaces, domestic legal mechanisms. It serves as a safeguard when national systems fail to act.
In fact, Republic Act No. 9851, “An Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity,” enacted in 2009, clearly recognizes the jurisdiction of the ICC.
UPLM, therefore, calls upon the Marcos Jr. government to:
1. Immediately initiate the process of rejoining the Rome Statute of the ICC. This demonstrates a genuine commitment to justice and human rights.
2. Fully cooperate with the ICC’s ongoing investigation into the situation in the Philippines. This includes providing access to relevant information and facilitating the appearance of witnesses.
3. Acknowledge and address the systemic human rights violations committed during the Duterte administration and continuing to the present. This includes providing reparations to the victims and their families.
The Marcos Jr. administration, whose human rights record is also condemnable, cannot wash away the blood of victims with political maneuvering. Justice demands action now.
Marcos Jr. must decide: Will his administration align itself with global human rights standards, or will it continue to shield perpetrators of mass killings from justice? Rejoining the ICC tests Marcos Jr.’s commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and justice.
The ICC is not a foreign imposition; it is a vital mechanism to ensure that no one, especially those who commit crimes against humanity, is above the law.
The UPLM stands in unwavering solidarity with the victims and their families and will continue to fight until full accountability is achieved.
References:
ATTY. ANTONIO AZARCON
UPLM Chair
Contact: 09199124767
ATTY. ARVIN DEXTER LOPOZ
UPLM Spokesperson
Contact: 09260583543
