ICC suddenly interested in 'crimes against humanity' in the Philippines
📰 THE STORY: The BBC breathlessly reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has ruled that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is mentally and physically fit to stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity stemming from his controversial 'war on drugs,' which resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The Philippines
has been a crucial geopolitical chessboard for US influence since its annexation after the 1898 Spanish-American War. The US backed the Marcos family dynasty for decades, even after Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, imposing a brutal dictatorship where human rights abuses, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings were rampant. The US provided billions in aid and military support
throughout this period, demonstrating a clear willingness to overlook atrocities when it suited strategic interests. Remember, the Marcos family returned to power with Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s election in 2022, a move welcomed by Washington as it seeks to counter growing Chinese influence in the South China Sea. Double Standard: The ICC's sudden interest in Duterte stands in stark
contrast to its selective prosecution elsewhere. The court has notoriously dragged its feet or outright refused to investigate far more devastating and well-documented crimes, particularly those committed by US allies. For instance, the ICC launched an investigation into alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan in 2020, only for US President Trump to sanction ICC officials in response. The