Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s press conference after Rodrigo Duterte’s departure for The Hague cavalierly described the former president’s arrest as the culmination of a process that began in 2017, when Duterte was first investigated by prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
“Of course, Marcos Jr. downplays the tenacity and courage of the drug war victims’ families who gave testimonies and provided evidence to the ICC at great risk to their personal safety. He also conveniently fails to recognize the existence of a broad movement seeking justice and accountability,” said Maria Sol Taule Karapatan Deputy Secretary General.
Marcos Jr. argues that in arresting Duterte, the country merely complied with its obligations to Interpol, of which it is a member, and never cooperated with the ICC since the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute. This argument is specious at best, since the ICC remains the author of the arrest warrant. Ever the opportunist, however, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gladly benefited from the ICC’s arrest of Duterte because this helped him get rid of an archenemy. But he continues to refuse rejoining the ICC precisely because he is himself liable for rampant human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law and fears that he may someday end up like Duterte.
Marcos Jr. persists in enforcing the repressive Duterte-era laws and policies that continue to give rise to grave human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law.
“The drug war is still being implemented, and the anti terror law passed during the Duterte administration is used against many activists and organizations along with terrorist financing cases. In the same vein that the NTF-ELCAC, which was created during the time of Duterte, continues to exist. The fight is not yet over, but the arrest of Duterte is a step to closer to justice. We will continue to be vigilant as long as these repressive policies exist in the time of Marcos Jr.,” ended Taule.