‘Duterte ICC challenge a desperate tactic’

MANILA, Philippines — Human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares yesterday criticized the move by the legal team of former president Rodrigo Duterte to challenge the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s “war on drugs,” calling it a desperate attempt to evade accountability.

“The Duterte legal team’s argument that the ICC lost jurisdiction after the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute holds no water. The Rome Statute clearly states that the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed before the withdrawal became effective,” Colmenares said in a statement.

“The ICC has already ruled in other cases, such as Burundi, that state withdrawal does not extinguish its jurisdiction over crimes that occurred while the country was still a party to the treaty,” he added.

Colmenares reiterated that the ICC prosecutor’s investigation is well within the court’s jurisdiction, as the alleged crimes against humanity were committed during the period when the Philippines was a state party to the Rome Statute. 

“Justice must be served for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses under Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. These legal maneuvers by his defense team cannot erase the bloodstains of his regime,” he said. 

Colmenares also criticized the defense team’s attempt to nullify all procedural steps taken by the ICC, calling it a blatant attempt to undermine international justice. 

“This is not just a legal argument; it’s a desperate ploy to delay and derail justice. The Duterte camp is trying to escape accountability by hiding behind technicalities. But no amount of legal gymnastics can erase the atrocities committed during his administration,” Colmenares said. 

He called on the Filipino people and the international community to remain vigilant and continue the fight for justice despite the Duterte camp’s tactics. 

“The ICC provides a venue for accountability that the Duterte administration denied its victims. We must ensure that this process is not derailed. Justice delayed is justice denied for the thousands of families who lost their loved ones,” Colmenares said.