In a resolute declaration, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos stood firm against the International Criminal Court’s scrutiny of his predecessor’s contentious anti-narcotics campaign. Amidst the backdrop of a lingering drug war, which has claimed thousands of lives since its inception under Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, Marcos adamantly refused to entertain the notion of surrendering Duterte to the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Addressing queries during a forum with the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, Marcos unequivocally dismissed the possibility of complying with any potential ICC warrants targeting Duterte. “We don’t recognize the warrant that they will send to us. That’s a no,” asserted Marcos, emphasizing his government’s stance on international legal jurisdiction.
Withdrawing from the ICC in 2019, Duterte distanced the Philippines from the tribunal as it probed allegations of human rights violations linked to his relentless drug crackdown. Despite subsequent inquiries and legal maneuvers, Marcos has adamantly rebuffed any ICC involvement, citing the country’s independent judicial system.
However, the rift between the Marcos and Duterte dynasties has deepened, permeating both political and personal realms. Marcos, buoyed by a landslide victory in the 2022 presidential elections, finds himself entangled in a complex web of familial and political rivalries. The public sparring, marked by accusations of drug abuse and separatist sentiments, underscores the escalating tensions between the two influential families.
Navigating this intricate landscape, Marcos characterized his relationship with the Duterte clan as “complicated,” punctuating the statement with shared laughter amongst the audience. As both camps vie for support and strategic advantages ahead of pivotal elections, the dynamics of Philippine politics remain fluid, underscored by unresolved legacies and shifting alliances.
