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EDITORIAL: Justice Prevails



THE recent pronouncement by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin regarding the Philippines’ conditional cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) signals a thoughtful and thorough method to an issue that has long divided public opinion.


While the government maintains its position that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the country following its withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019, the willingness to act positively on Interpol requests represents a potential shift toward accountability and justice.


This development underscores the intricate balance between safeguarding sovereignty and fulfilling international obligations. As Bersamin pointed out, the Philippines has benefited significantly from its relationship with Interpol in crime prevention and criminal justice.


Reciprocity and mutual respect, hallmarks of comity among nations, compel the Philippines to consider Interpol requests seriously, even when these pertain to the ICC’s ongoing investigation into the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte.


Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s openness to dialogue with the ICC “in the spirit of comity” is another encouraging step. It acknowledges the shared responsibility of nations to address crimes against humanity and signals the government’s willingness to cooperate on terms that respect the nation’s legal and political frameworks.


However, as opposition lawmakers and human rights groups have emphasized, these gestures must translate into concrete action.


The ICC’s investigation focuses on a dark chapter in Philippine history, where the brutal anti-drug campaign claimed thousands of lives. While official data cites over 6,000 deaths, human rights organizations estimate the toll to be as high as 30,000, leaving a trail of grieving families and shattered communities.


For these victims, justice has remained elusive, and the ICC offers a glimmer of hope for accountability.


Critics argue that limited cooperation with the ICC is insufficient and advocate for the Philippines’ re-entry into the Rome Statute. The move would reaffirm the country’s commitment to the global fight against impunity and restore faith in the international legal order.


As Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III aptly stated, the Philippines must demonstrate that it is a trustworthy and reliable treaty partner.


The government’s stance reflects a pragmatic acknowledgment of its obligations to Interpol and the global community, but it must go further. The victims of extrajudicial killings and their families deserve not just symbolic gestures but tangible justice. Concrete measures, such as re-joining the ICC and ensuring cooperation with its processes, will demonstrate that the Philippines values human rights and the rule of law.


As human rights lawyer Kristina Conti reminds us, the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines covers incidents from its accession to the Rome Statute in 2011 until its withdrawal in 2019. This legal continuity underscores the validity of the ICC’s investigation and the duty of the Philippine government to cooperate.


Accountability for crimes against humanity is not a matter of sovereignty but of moral and legal obligation. The administration’s cautious yet positive approach to Interpol requests is a step in the right direction, but the road to justice requires more decisive action.


The Philippines must rise to the challenge, not just for the victims of the drug war but for the integrity of its justice system and its place in the global community.

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