Two opposition legislators on Monday said the OCTA Research survey, which showed that 55 percent of Filipinos favor the Philippines’ return to the International Criminal Court, proved that the majority in the country want accountability for the bloody drug war during the past administration.
“More Filipinos now want accountability for the fake drug war killings during the Duterte regime, as well as other forms of human rights violations in the present and future administrations,” House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said.
“The survey also shows that the Dutertes’ mass support is eroding as more people are speaking up against the human rights violations during the last administration,” added Castro.
For her part, House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas appealed to President Marcos to let the government resume its membership in the international court, five years after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
The withdrawal occurred following objections by the previous administration to an investigation pushed by the court regarding Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, which claimed at least 6,200 lives.
“The culture of impunity and violations of human rights in the Philippines are severe, which is why we need a third party or other mechanisms to ensure that cases are investigated, and victims are given justice,” said Brosas.
“Rejoining the ICC would provide a critical mechanism for holding the government accountable, particularly concerning grave human rights abuses. Given the widespread human rights violations in the Philippines, having independent oversight and accountability mechanisms is crucial,” Brosas added.
Results of the OCTA “Tugon ng Masa” survey released Sunday showed that 59 percent agree it is time for the country to work with the ICC again as opposed to 41 percent who thought otherwise.
The same survey also found that 55 percent of Filipinos are in favor of the government cooperating with the ICC to investigate drug-related killings during the Duterte regime, against the 45 percent who disagreed.
“As it is, we are calling on the Marcos administration to cooperate with the ICC and return as a member of the international body,” Castro added.