The ICC and the conspiracy theory?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reported that there is a “reasonable basis to believe” those crimes against humanity were committed by the Duterte administration in its relentless crackdown on drugs in the Philippines.

I think this report was based on the ‘conspiracy theory’ because of President Duterte’s repeated statements that the crushing is necessary to secure the country and protect the people from drug dealers.

Conspiracy theory is defined as an attempt to explain harmful or tragic events as a result of the actions of a small or powerful group. It explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful and influential conspirators.

The ICC is an international tribunal that investigates and tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community; genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.

The ICC report was focused allegedly on Duterte and other high-ranking law enforcement officials’ statements that “actively promoted and encouraged the killing of suspected drug users and dealers.”

The ICC accuses the president and Philippine law enforcement agency of doing the extrajudicial killings of drug suspects without due process. It is easy to accuse but to prove it, is another story. The drug syndicate groups have also the potential to kill their rival groups and blamed authorities. The war against drugs is a huge challenge and complex task by authorities. It cannot be resolved overnight particularly if those involved are ‘men in uniform’ and ‘narco-politicians.’

How unethical it is for the ICC to prove a case without legal jurisdiction. The country has withdrawn its membership from the Rome Statute Treaty last year because of unfair and biased treatment. Forty-two states have neither signed nor become parties to the Rome Statute. Among these countries are the USA, China, Russia, Israel, Libya, and Qatar. Only small countries joined the treaty but some of its members are now bailing out for different reasons.

Most reports that had reached the ICC about the killings in the country are coming from the identified anti-government sectors, non-credible media outlets, political detractors, and biased human rights groups.

The ICC better think twice about charging the president with crimes against humanity. The war against drugs is not a crime against humanity. It is a war that saves more lives.

The ICC should know that the president has the highest and most consistent satisfaction and approval ratings ever recorded in Philippine history.

Renester P. Suralta