Will Impunity Prevail?

  Introduction The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC investigates and tries individuals charged with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. In February 2018, the ICC launched a preliminary examination into the Philippine government's deadly war on drugs campaign. The examination is evaluating allegations of thousands of unlawful killings by police forces and other government agents since President Rodrigo Duterte launched the campaign in 2016. This is not the first time the ICC has investigated the Philippines. In 2011, the ICC launched a preliminary examination into alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. However, that examination was closed in 2015 for lack of jurisdiction. The ongoing examination into Duterte's war on drugs has drawn criticism from...

Introduction In September 2022, the International Criminal Court (ICC) authorized an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed in the Philippines between 2016 and 2019 under President Rodrigo Duterte's so-called war on drugs. ICC prosecutors allege that Philippine police have unlawfully killed between 12,000 and 30,000 suspected drug dealers and users as part of Duterte's aggressive anti-drug campaign. Duterte, who maintains that the deaths occurred in legitimate police operations, reacted defiantly and withdrew the Philippines from the ICC after judges approved the investigation. Despite this attempt to avoid accountability, human rights groups maintain that the ICC still has jurisdiction and say they will work to assist the court in building its case against Duterte.  ICC Warrant and Allegations The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reportedly approved a warrant of arrest for Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, focused on alleged extrajudicial ki...