Activists urge Philippines to rejoin ICC

Filipino activists rallied near Manila's Presidential Palace, calling for the Philippines to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC) following former president Rodrigo Duterte's first appearance before the court. Demonstrators marched to Mendiola, emphasizing the importance of international oversight for human rights accountability.

The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019 after being a member since 2011. Despite this withdrawal, the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed during the membership period under the 1998 Rome Statute.

Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, appeared via video link before the ICC last Friday to face murder allegations stemming from his controversial "war on drugs" campaign, which reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths in the Philippines. He is poised to become the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the ICC, a court established over two decades ago to prosecute individuals for serious international crimes including war crimes, crimes against humanity, aggression, and genocide.

The case has sparked a broader movement among Filipino activists and lawmakers advocating for the country to restore its ICC membership. Several members of the House majority view Duterte's case as an opportunity for the Philippines to demonstrate renewed commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

International human rights organizations have praised the proceedings against Duterte as a significant step toward justice. Amnesty International has urged the Philippine government to both cooperate with the ICC and rejoin the Rome Statute.

As of now, the Philippine government has not issued an official statement regarding potential ICC membership. The situation has triggered national debate about the country's role in international justice mechanisms and its approach to addressing human rights concerns.