THE HAGUE/MANILA – The International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor has suspended a probe in Manila into allegations that rights were violated during the crackdown by Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine President on Drugs.

ICC judges approved a probe https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/international-court-approves-investigation-into-philippines-war-drugs-2021-09-15 in September into the campaign in which thousands of suspected drug peddlers have died. According to activists, many were executed by law enforcement officers with the tacit approval of the president.

According to Philippine authorities, the murders occurred in self defense and the ICC does not have the right to interfere.

According to court documents, Manila submitted the request for deferral on November 10, according to the ICC. This was in reference of its own investigation into the drug war deaths.

“The prosecution has suspended its investigation activities temporarily while it evaluates scope and effect [deferral request],” ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Kan wrote. He also stated that the prosecution would continue to seek information from the Philippines.

If the government is pursuing the same act and conducting their own investigation, they can ask for the ICC’s deferral of a case.

Duterte, 76, pulled the Philippines out of the ICC in 2018 and has said the international court has no jurisdiction https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-drugs-icct-idUSKCN1GJ0ER to indict him. The ICC claims it is competent to investigate crime committed in Manila while Manila was a member. This includes crimes that occurred between 2018 and 2019.

Manila’s request to defer the decision follows repeated declarations from the Duterte government stating that it will not cooperate with ICC.

Karlo Nograles (acting spokesperson for Duterte) said that they were pleased with the judiciousness shown by the new ICC prosecution. He stated in a Saturday statement, “We are grateful for the exoneration and recognition of the vibrancy and justice system.”

An international group of lawyers from the Philippines urged the ICC to not remove any hope for the families of victims of the drug war.

“We request the ICC to not allow itself to be swayed now by the Duterte government,” said the National Union of People’s Lawyers. This group represents victims’ families.

According to it, the Philippine justice system “extremely slow” and does not serve most victims who are unrepresented and poor.

Human Rights Watch stated that the claim by the government that domestic justice systems provide citizens with justice is absurd. Brad Adam (ICC Asia Director) said that the ICC will see through this ruse.

LOOMING ELSECTIONS

The ICC decision is a boost for Duterte, who this week launched a run for the Senate https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-edge-deadline-presidential-candidates-looms-2021-11-15 in elections next year. His constitution bars him from running again for president.

Ramon Casiple (Vice President of Novo Trends PH), a political analyst, said that it would provide some relief during the raucous election. However, it might not allow (him) more to do after the election, especially if the incoming government decides to cooperate in the ICC process.

In the nearly two decades of its existence, five African militia chiefs from Mali, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo have been convicted by the ICC for war crimes or crimes against humanity.