THE ICC decision to reject the appeal of the Philippine government is a clear step towards breaking the infrastructure of impunity in our country and a beacon of hope for the thousands of families who have lost their loved ones to Duterte’s brutal war on drugs. It is a go signal for an investigation to proceed for the drug-related extra-judicial killings under Rodrigo Duterte as Davao Mayor and as Philippine President until 2019.
As we laud the decision, we remain vigilant, as the Marcos-Duterte government will not make it easy for the investigations to proceed. They are afraid for people to be proven correct – that Duterte’s war on drugs is a case of crime against humanity – a program that is still being pursued by the current administration.
We derive hope from the families of the victims, who despite facing threats themselves, have kept courage, and pursued the cases against Duterte and the war on drugs. This significant development brings us one step closer to justice.
We are with them in solidarity, as we are with the peoples’ movements in exacting accountability, and the fight for human rights. (Lilak)
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