The Philippines must rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC) to uphold justice and hold abusive leaders accountable, progressive fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) said, emphasizing the need for international mechanisms to combat impunity.
The call comes amid renewed discussions on human rights and accountability following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte last week over “crimes against humanity.”
Rejoining the ICC is crucial to preventing further abuses of power and ensuring justice for past violations, the group noted.
Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Ronnel Arambulo said the country’s withdrawal from the ICC has weakened accountability measures, allowing government officials to evade justice for human rights violations.
“Sa maraming pagkakataon na binibigo tayo ng sistema ng hustisya sa ating bansa, krusyal ang pagdulog sa mga internasyunal na mekanismo tulad ng ICC (In many instances where our country’s justice system fails us, it is crucial to turn to international mechanisms like the ICC),” he said in a statement, Tuesday, March 18.
The group noted that the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, provides a legal framework to prosecute high-ranking officials involved in crimes against humanity.
According to Arambulo, this is especially important in the Philippines, given the country’s long history of state violence and impunity.
“Hindi dapat manatiling hindi kasapi ng ICC ang Pilipinas lalo sa gitna ng laganap na paglabag sa mga demokratikong karapatan at palagiang pamamayagpag ng mga abusadong opisyal ng gobyerno (The Philippines should not remain outside the ICC, especially amid widespread violations of democratic rights and the continued dominance of abusive government officials),” he said.
The fishers’ group emphasized that rejoining the ICC is not just about prosecuting Duterte—it is about ensuring long-term protection for ordinary Filipinos against state-sponsored violence and abuses of power.
Without international oversight, Arambulo warned that state forces could continue human rights violations unchecked.
“Obligasyon ng administrasyong Marcos Jr. na ibalik ang bansa sa ICC bilang proteksyon ng mamamayan mula sa laganap na kultura ng karahasan ng Estado at kawalang pananagutan (It is the obligation of the Marcos Jr. administration to return the country to the ICC as a protection for the people against the widespread culture of state violence and impunity),” he stated.
Also, he pointed out that the domestic justice system has long been biased in favor of the powerful, leaving marginalized groups—such as farmers, fisherfolk, and the urban poor—with little access to justice.
“Habang pinapanawagan ang panunumbalik sa ICC, higit na dapat palakasin ang sistema ng hustisya sa ating bansa pabor sa mga ordinaryong tao, hindi sa mga nasa kapangyarihan (While we call for the Philippines to return to the ICC, we must also strengthen our justice system to favor ordinary people, not just those in power),” said Arambulo.
Pamalakaya has vowed to join nationwide protests demanding the full prosecution of Duterte and his allies, as well as broader justice system reforms.
The group insists that only by rejoining the ICC can the Philippines prove its commitment to justice and human rights.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro acknowledged the growing calls for ICC reinstatement, stating that it is time for the country to reopen discussions on rejoining the international court.
In 2019, the Philippines, under the Duterte Administration, withdrew from the ICC.