An international human rights coalition has called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Bong Go, citing documents that named them as alleged co-perpetrators in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Peter Murphy, spokesperson for the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP), emphasized the need for swift action.
“ICHRP calls for the ICC to urgently issue arrest warrants for Dela Rosa, Go and the others named so that they can also face trial, along with their boss Duterte,” he said.
Murphy argued that the Philippine justice system remains incapable of prosecuting those implicated.
“It remains abundantly clear that the Philippine judicial system is unable to prosecute these alleged co-perpetrators. While still at large they are a risk for destruction of evidence, intimidation of witnesses and also flight risks,” he added.
Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity for alleged murders committed between November 2011 and March 2019 during the drug war.
A confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled for February 23–27, which could advance the case to a full trial.
Murphy welcomed the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I’s January 26 decision rejecting Duterte’s defense claims of unfitness for trial and unfair proceedings.
“This is the result of a huge effort by the victims, by their advocacy campaign Rise Up for Life and for Rights, and their legal team,” he said.
The ICHRP stressed that accountability should extend beyond Duterte, pointing to recent corruption scandals and political repression as signs of continuing impunity.
Murphy added: “Marcos Jr is throwing close associates under the bus to try to evade justice and thus save himself. He is also relying on the US Trump administration to save him as an ally in a looming war with China.”