Last year the International Criminal Court rejected an appeal by the Philippine government and continued brutal anti-drug tactics that resulted in the deaths of thousands, which first began under President Rodrigo Duerte.
Recently, the government, led by Ferdinand Marcos Jr, stated, as reported by Reuters, that they would not cooperate with the ICC investigation into these tactics that are excused by the government as being part of an ongoing drug war.
"I consider it as a threat to our sovereignty. Therefore, the Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts," Marcos told reporters, reiterating his earlier position.
Philippines Rejects ICC Probe
Marcos further stated that he invited ICC investigators to come visit but that they would need to do so without the cooperation of the Philippine government. Vice President Sara Buterte echoed the position, which was also held by her father, the former president.
"Allowing the ICC to conduct its probe in our country, in brazen violation of the constitution, is an absolute surrender of our birthright as a sovereign nation," Salvador Panelo, Duterte's former presidential spokesperson, told Reuters.
The Phillippines withdrew from the International Tribunal four years ago, after then President Duterte questioned the authority of an international body to investigate their war on drugs.
According to police, 6,200 "dealers" were killed after resisting arrest. Thousands more low-level dealers were gunned down, but authorities say these were vigilante killings. Rights groups and some victims accuse the police of systematic cover-ups and executions, which they deny.
In November, Marcos said he was studying the Philippines' return to the ICC's fold, months after saying he would cut off contact with the tribunal. Marcos said questions over jurisdiction and sovereignty were of great concern for the Philippines.
"Now if we can solve these problems, then that would be something else, but those questions are fundamental," Marcos said.
