By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
The University Council of the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD), in a statement released Monday, defended the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11.
The state-run institution honored such international legal intervention as a “pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice and accountability”, on account of the missteps of national institutions in holding the former President liable for crimes against humanity under the so-called “war on drugs”.
Said campaign, which was allegedly propagated by the Davao Death Squad (DDS), dates back to his long tenure as the mayor of Davao City. According to the Philippine National Police, the casualties resulting from his relentless charge against purveyors of illegal substances are pegged at 6,200, while Davao City based NGOs estimate that the DDS have killed more than 1,400 alleged criminals from 1998 to 2015.
Moreover, UPD also cited the country’s obligation to “respect the rule of law and uphold its international commitments”, emphasizing its role as a former State Party to the Rome Statute. This underscores the importance of not allowing impunity to prevail, on account of former Senator Leila de Lima’s prolonged prosecution that arose from attempts during Duterte’s administration to investigate his bloody anti-drug campaign.
UPD emphasizes Duterte’s arrest as a catalyst for justice, holding complicity in crimes accountable and implementing structural reforms to prevent future abuses, underscoring no one is above the law.
Meanwhile, the UPD also rallied the Philippine government to resume ties with the International Criminal Court on account of upholding the values of integrity, accountability and impartiality. In turn, this would reaffirm the Philippines’ commitment to international justice.
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