ICC’s Selective Justice: Duterte Fit for Trial as Others Evade Scrutiny
📰 THE STORY: Bloomberg Politics reports that the International Criminal Court’s pre-trial chamber has declared former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is 'fit to take part in the pre-trial proceedings' concerning his administration's 'war on drugs,' which resulted in thousands of deaths between 2016 and 2022. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Philippines has a long
history of US intervention, from its colonization after the 1898 Spanish-American War to supporting the Marcos dictatorship (1965-1986). The US has used the Philippines as a geopolitical pawn, evidenced by the push for new military bases against China in 2023, raising questions about the timing and politicization of international legal actions. Double Standard: The ICC’s swift move against Duterte
starkly contrasts its historical inaction and recent controversies. In May 2024, the ICC prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians were killed in 2023-2024. This move was met with immediate condemnation and threats from the US and its allies, despite their vocal
support for the ICC in other contexts, such as issuing a warrant for Russia's Putin in March 2023. The selective enforcement of international law, where leaders of US-aligned nations face political and economic blowback for potential prosecution, while leaders from less strategically vital regions are targeted, is a consistent pattern. Follow the Money: While direct funding links are less clear in