The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) has called on the Marcos Administration to begin the process of the Philippines’ reentry into the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a statement on Monday, March 17, the farmers’ group said the country’s withdrawal only strengthened the culture of impunity among those in power.

“Mali at makasarili ang ginawang pagkalas ni Duterte sa ICC para takasan ang pananagutan sa libo-libong pinaslang sa kanyang war on drugs at madugong gera laban sa mamamayan (Duterte’s withdrawal from the ICC was wrong and selfish, done to escape accountability for the thousands killed in his war on drugs and bloody war against the people),” Danilo Ramos, the chairperson of KMP, said.

“Ngayon, tanging sa ICC na lang maaaring mabigyang-katarungan ang mga biktima sa pamamagitan ng pagdakip at paglilitis kay Duterte (Now, only the ICC can bring justice to the victims through Duterte’s arrest and trial),” he went on.

According to KMP, some administration officials have argued that Duterte will receive a fair trial at the ICC and that the Philippines remains a responsible member of the international community. 

If the Marcos Administration is serious about this stance, Ramos said it should ensure the country’s return to the ICC and fully cooperate with the justice process.

The KMP noted that President Marcos has repeatedly insisted that the Philippines does not need to rejoin the ICC, claiming that the country’s justice system is functioning effectively.

Still, critics questioned this position, pointing out the administration’s cooperation with the ICC in Duterte’s arrest.

“Dapat tayong magkaisa sa panawagang papanagutin si Duterte sa kanyang mga krimen laban sa sangkatauhan. Kasabay nito, kailangang igiit ng mamamayan ang pagbabalik ng Pilipinas sa ICC upang tiyakin na ang mga pasistang mamamatay-tao sa gobyerno ay haharap sa hustisya—kung hindi man sa ating sariling sistema, sa ICC mismo (We must unite in the call to hold Duterte accountable for his crimes against humanity. At the same time, the people must insist on the Philippines’ return to the ICC to ensure that the fascist murderers in government face justice—if not in our own system, then in the ICC itself),” said Ramos.

The Marcos Administration has yet to issue an official response to KMP’s statement. 

On March 11, former president Rodrigo Duterte, the architect of the Philippines’ highly criticized war on drugs, was arrested upon his arrival at Manila’s international airport.

His arrest followed an ICC warrant issued amid its ongoing inquiry into the bloody drug campaign of his administration.