Filipinos should be the judge of the impact of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and not foreign entities. Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, a known close ally of the former president, reiterated this stance as he backs the Marcos government's decision to disengage from the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the alleged crimes committed during Duterte’s drug war. The senator stressed that the ICC has no jurisdiction to interfere in the country’s internal matters, considering that the Philippines has a strong and independent judicial system. “Probes into the war on drugs are presently being conducted by competent authorities. Ibig sabihin, may tiwala naman po ako sa ating (It means, we still have faith in our) local judicial system, at ang mga Pilipino (and Filipinos) should be judged by fellow Filipinos before Philippine courts operating under Philippine laws," Go said in an interview on Monday, July 24. Go said Filipinos are the ones who can assess whether the former administration’s campaign against illegal drugs was good. Go further emphasized that the era when the country had to be dictated by foreigners on how to govern itself has long been over. “Sila po ang nakakaalam kung nakakalakad ba sila, 'yung mga anak nila nang ligtas at hindi nababastos at nasasaktan (They are the ones who can attest whether they can now roam the streets safely or if their children are safe when they go outside),” he added. Likewise, Go expressed his gratitude to the Marcos administration for its decision to disengage from the ICC. “Nagpapasalamat rin po ako sa ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos… sa sinabi niya po na (I am thankful to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr) when he said that) his administration would end further engagement with the International Criminal Court),” Go said. He pointed out that the Philippines had already withdrawn from the Rome Statute during the term of Duterte. “So, kumbaga nag-withdraw naman tayo sa ICC noon pang panahon ni Pangulong Duterte. So, para po sa akin, ang Pilipino po ang dapat humusga sa ating kapwa Pilipino (So it means, we have withdrawn from the ICC during the time of President Duterte. So for me, Filipinos should be the ones to judge fellow Filipinos),” he stressed.