ICC Got Taste of ‘Duterte Disinformation’ with Interim Release Plea: Lawyer
The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently experienced a glimpse into the "disinformation" tactics employed during the Duterte administration, according to lawyer Kristina Conti, a legal counsel for victims of the bloody drug war. Conti’s assertion comes in the wake of the Philippine government’s request for the ICC to suspend its ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the anti-narcotics campaign. The government’s plea hinges on the argument that domestic mechanisms are actively pursuing accountability for these alleged crimes. However, Conti and other human rights advocates firmly believe that the government’s purported efforts fall far short of genuine accountability. They point to the deeply flawed justice system within the Philippines and the minuscule number of cases genuinely investigated and prosecuted as evidence of the government’s insincerity in addressing the issue.
The ICC’s investigation primarily centers on the "war on drugs" launched by former President Rodrigo Duterte, a campaign that human rights organizations claim resulted in the extrajudicial killings of thousands of individuals. Conti argued that the government’s request for suspension of the investigation is merely a tactical maneuver designed to obstruct the ICC’s proceedings. She underscored the lack of substantial progress in domestic investigations, emphasizing the deep-seated impunity protecting those responsible for the alleged crimes. Victims’ families, according to Conti, expressed skepticism over the government’s commitment to justice, viewing the move as another attempt to evade accountability on the international stage.
Conti drew parallels between the government’s current strategy and the disinformation campaign waged during the Duterte administration. She claimed that the narrative presented to the ICC – that the Philippines is actively pursuing justice—echoes the false narratives used to downplay the severity of the drug war and deflect international criticism. This "disinformation playbook," as Conti described it, aims to create an illusion of accountability while effectively shielding perpetrators from genuine legal consequences. Conti maintained that the ICC must see through this facade and proceed with its investigation undeterred.
A crucial aspect of the government’s argument rests on the claim that domestic mechanisms are "functioning," thus precluding the ICC’s jurisdiction. However, Conti countered this assertion by highlighting the systemic deficiencies plaguing the Philippine justice system. She cited the low number of investigations, the lack of witness protection programs, and the pervasive fear of reprisal among victims and their families as evidence of the ineffectiveness of domestic remedies. These factors, she argued, create an environment of impunity that allows perpetrators to operate without fear of accountability. The government’s claims, she stressed, are detached from the stark realities on the ground.
Furthermore, Conti emphasized the limited scope of domestic investigations, pointing out that they predominantly focus on low-ranking police officers while largely ignoring those higher up the chain of command. This selective targeting, she argued, reinforces the culture of impunity and prevents the investigation from uncovering the systemic nature of the alleged crimes. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation that examines the entire spectrum of responsibility, including those who formulated and implemented the policies that led to the alleged human rights violations.
The appeal to the ICC, therefore, according to Conti, represents the last hope for justice for the victims and their families. She urged the ICC to recognize the government’s tactics for what they are – a calculated strategy to delay and obstruct justice. The international community, she added, should remain vigilant and continue to pressure the Philippine government to cooperate fully with the ICC investigation. The credibility of both the ICC and the international justice system, she concluded, rests in part on their ability to see through such maneuvers and ensure that perpetrators of grave human rights abuses are held accountable, regardless of their political status or influence. The victims and their families deserve nothing less than the truth and justice, and the international community must stand with them in their pursuit of accountability. The fight for justice, she affirmed, is far from over.