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Expert says ICC ‘weaponized’ in Philippines political conflict
(MENAFN) The extradition of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague to face trial for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) might be a result of a domestic political struggle, an expert suggested. Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, believes that current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may have strategically used the ICC to target Duterte, a political rival.
Duterte, 79, was arrested at Manila’s international airport earlier this month under an ICC warrant and appeared before the court’s pre-trial chamber last week. He will remain in custody until his next appearance scheduled for September. Malindog-Uy noted an ongoing feud between the Marcos and Duterte families, which could have led to Marcos Jr. leveraging the ICC to undermine the Duterte clan.
Duterte faces accusations of crimes against humanity related to his controversial “war on drugs” during his presidency, in which around 6,200 people were killed in police operations. He has taken responsibility for the deaths but denies orchestrating a campaign of systematic murder.
The political rift between Duterte and Marcos stems from personal accusations and policy differences. Duterte criticized Marcos for consolidating power and alleged drug use, while Marcos countered by referring to Duterte’s own use of the painkiller fentanyl. Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is also facing impeachment over allegations of a plot to kill the president.
Malindog-Uy argued that the ICC is meant to intervene only when national authorities are unable or unwilling to prosecute serious crimes like genocide or crimes against humanity, which is not the case with the Philippines. Duterte’s supporters have condemned his arrest, citing the Philippines' formal withdrawal from the ICC in 2019.
While the ICC maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while a country was a signatory, the court has faced criticism for focusing disproportionately on developing nations and accusations of serving Western interests.
Duterte, 79, was arrested at Manila’s international airport earlier this month under an ICC warrant and appeared before the court’s pre-trial chamber last week. He will remain in custody until his next appearance scheduled for September. Malindog-Uy noted an ongoing feud between the Marcos and Duterte families, which could have led to Marcos Jr. leveraging the ICC to undermine the Duterte clan.
Duterte faces accusations of crimes against humanity related to his controversial “war on drugs” during his presidency, in which around 6,200 people were killed in police operations. He has taken responsibility for the deaths but denies orchestrating a campaign of systematic murder.
The political rift between Duterte and Marcos stems from personal accusations and policy differences. Duterte criticized Marcos for consolidating power and alleged drug use, while Marcos countered by referring to Duterte’s own use of the painkiller fentanyl. Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is also facing impeachment over allegations of a plot to kill the president.
Malindog-Uy argued that the ICC is meant to intervene only when national authorities are unable or unwilling to prosecute serious crimes like genocide or crimes against humanity, which is not the case with the Philippines. Duterte’s supporters have condemned his arrest, citing the Philippines' formal withdrawal from the ICC in 2019.
While the ICC maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while a country was a signatory, the court has faced criticism for focusing disproportionately on developing nations and accusations of serving Western interests.
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