In a recent statement, President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines affirmed that he would not extradite his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigation regarding the country’s controversial drug war.
The anti-drug campaign, which began in 2016 during Duterte’s administration and continued by Marcos, has claimed many lives. In response to a question on Duterte’s extradition in the event of an ICC arrest warrant, Marcos made it clear that he would refuse. He continued, “We do not acknowledge any warrants sent to us. That is a firm no.”
Speaking during a seminar organized by the Philippine Foreign Correspondents Association, Marcos defended his position, claiming that the Philippines has the legal right to refuse the authority of the International Criminal Court.
In 2019, Duterte made the decision to remove the Philippines from the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the tribunal began looking into claims of human rights abuses during the drug campaign. After reviewing multiple drug-related cases in Manila, the ICC temporarily halted its investigation; nevertheless, the court eventually recommenced the investigation, which led to Manila’s unsuccessful appeal of the ruling.
During Duterte’s administration, anti-drug operations claimed over 6,000 lives in the Philippines, according to official data; ICC estimates are significantly higher. Marcos has maintained the drug war’s continuation while arguing for a greater focus on preventive and rehabilitation initiatives in the face of calls for accountability.
Public debates accusing drug usage and political unrest have marked the decline in relations between the Marcos and Duterte dynasties. The overwhelming triumph of Marcos in the 2022 presidential contest, bolstered by Mindanao’s backing for Sara Duterte, highlighted the changing nature of Philippine politics.
Tensions between the Marcos and Duterte camps are growing stronger as plans are made for future elections, which include the presidential contest in 2028 and the midterm elections in 2025. In response to a question regarding his relationship with the Duterte family, Marcos made a lighthearted comment about it being “complicated,” a reflection of the intricate web of rivalries and alliances influencing Philippine politics.
