In the Philippines, Senator Bong Go emphasized the importance of showing respect to former President Rodrigo Duterte in the context of the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations related to the anti-drug campaign. Go, who previously worked closely with Duterte, stated that it’s the Filipino people who should judge the ex-president, rather than foreign entities. Despite not having direct discussions with Duterte about the ICC resolutions, Go expressed confidence in Duterte’s legal knowledge and actions.
The ICC’s probe into Duterte’s drug war, which Human Rights Watch claims resulted in over 12,000 deaths, primarily affecting the urban poor, has been a topic of much debate. The House of Representatives has adopted resolutions calling for cooperation with the ICC, a move Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the former national police chief under Duterte and a key figure in the drug war, commented on with an emphasis on parliamentary courtesy.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has shown a fluctuating stance on this matter. Initially, he was against cooperating with the ICC but later considered rejoining the Court. This shifting position reflects ongoing discussions about the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines, especially after the ICC Appeals Chamber rejected the Philippine government’s appeal to halt the investigation.