Blood cannot be washed away by legal paperwork. As former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte scrambles to escape accountability for thousands of deaths, his latest move to challenge the International Criminal Court’s authority has hit a wall of criticism from prominent human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares.
The Desperate Scramble for Legal Cover
The shadows of Duterte’s brutal “war on drugs” continue to haunt the Philippines. Human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares didn’t mince words when he called out Duterte’s legal team for their recent challenge to the ICC’s jurisdiction. “This is not just a legal argument; it’s a desperate ploy to delay and derail justice,” Colmenares said in a fiery statement that echoed across Manila yesterday.
The former president’s lawyers claim the ICC lost its power over Duterte when the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute. But Colmenares cut through this argument like a knife. “The Duterte legal team’s argument holds no water,” he stated firmly. “The Rome Statute clearly states that the court retains jurisdiction over crimes committed before the withdrawal became effective.”
Precedent Stands Against Duterte
The weight of international law stands against Duterte’s claims. Colmenares pointed to clear precedent that crushes the former president’s defense. “The ICC has already ruled in other cases, such as Burundi, that state withdrawal does not extinguish its jurisdiction over crimes that occurred while the country was still a party to the treaty,” he explained.
With an estimated 6,000 to 30,000 people killed in the drug war according to various human rights groups, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The blood of thousands cries out for justice while Duterte’s team tries to hide behind legal technicalities.
"No Amount of Legal Gymnastics"
Colmenares didn’t hold back in his assessment of what’s really happening. “The Duterte camp is trying to escape accountability by hiding behind technicalities. But no amount of legal gymnastics can erase the atrocities committed during his administration,” he said.
His words paint a vivid picture of a former leader trapped in a corner, desperately throwing legal arguments at the wall to see what sticks. Meanwhile, thousands of families still wait for justice, their tears not yet dry.
A Call for Vigilance
The battle for justice is far from over. Colmenares urged both Filipinos and the international community to keep their eyes wide open. “We must ensure that this process is not derailed,” he warned. “Justice delayed is justice denied for the thousands of families who lost their loved ones.”
For many watching this case, the ICC represents the last hope for accountability. Duterte’s bloody campaign left local justice systems either unwilling or unable to hold the powerful accountable. Now the world watches as this drama unfolds on the international stage.
“The ICC provides a venue for accountability that the Duterte administration denied its victims,” Colmenares reminded everyone. His words hang in the air, a stark reminder that for many Filipino families, the pain of loss continues while justice remains just out of reach.
Reshuff PH
Latest News In The Philippines brought to you by Reshuff PH
