Manila, Philippines – In time with the start of the confirmation hearing on the crimes against humantity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte on February 23, the Makabayan coalition in the Congress calls for the rejoining of the Philippines to the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute.
Under House Resolution No. 909, Makabayan Bloc is urging the Philippine government to rejoin Rome Statute, an international treaty that established ICC as a judicial institution to prosecute individuals accused of crimes like genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, aggression, and others.
In August of 2011, the Philippines submitted its instrument of ratification to the Rome Statute, officially joining ICC by November of the same year.
And amidst the alleged extra judicial killings committed under Duterte’s war on drugs campaign, the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, cutting as well ICC’s jurisdiction over the country.
Almost 7 months since the withdrawal, Duterte was arrested via ICC’s warrant and is being tried for charges linked with the alleged EJK.
Article 127 of Rome Statute states that the Philippines remains obligated to cooperate with ICC’s investigation and proceedings for crime acts that were committed while the country was still a member.
Makabayan Bloc noted in their resolution that ICC serves as a last resort when domestic mechanisms cannot provide genuine investigation and prosecution through its national justice system.
The coalition cited that rejoining ICC is timely amid calls of civil society groups, families of alleged EJK victims, faith-based groups, and human rights defenders towards public accountability.
The group added that the Philippines rejoining ICC is a clear and strong message that it recognizes its international obligations and respects the sanctity of life, supposedly violated under war on drugs.
Through the resolution, the group urges the government to start the necessary process towards the Philippines’ re-accession with the Rome Statute and ICC to uphold justice, dignity, and rule of law.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News