The Federation of Free Workers (FFW), along with its allies in the NAGKAISA Labor Coalition, has called on the Marcos administration to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to handle the crimes against humanity currently pending before it.
While Section 18 of Republic Act No. 9851 permits the Supreme Court to designate Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) to hear and decide such cases, the FFW and NAGKAISA emphasize that, given the existing cases already pending before the ICC, cooperation with the ICC under Section 17 of RA 9851 is a more practical, legally sound, and just approach.
“We cannot excuse those suspected of committing crimes against humanity from facing the ICC simply because foreign judges are sitting there,” said Atty. Sonny Matula, FFW President.
“We have Filipino judges who have served with honor in international tribunals. Justice Raul Pangalangan, for example, served in the ICC and presided over landmark cases, including the conviction of Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi for the war crime of destroying cultural heritage in Timbuktu, and Dominic Ongwen for 61 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Uganda. Justice Delfín Jaranilla, representing the Philippines in the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal, oversaw the convictions of 25 Japanese leaders, including General Hideki Tōjō, for war crimes after World War II,” Matula said, adding that Bengzon and Feliciano also served as judges in the ICJ and WTO, respectively.
Matula pointed out two critical reasons why allowing the ICC to proceed is essential:
1. Justice for the Victims: Disregarding the cases before the ICC is a grave injustice to the families and relatives of the 6,000 victims who lost their lives in the anti-drug war and have sought justice by filing their cases with the ICC; and
2. Respect for Filipino Jurists’ Legacy: It is a grave disservice to our esteemed Filipino jurists and their legacy to suggest that we now excuse Filipino suspects or accused individuals from the ICC.
The NAGKAISA coalition strongly criticized efforts to undermine the Philippines’ treaty obligations to the ICC, calling such moves “unfair and cowardly” attempts to evade accountability.
“The Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC does not absolve it of its obligations for crimes committed while it was still a member, as recognized in Supreme Court jurisprudence,” the coalition emphasized.
Matula added: “Section 17 of RA 9851 clearly mandates Philippine authorities to cooperate with international tribunals like the ICC. To do otherwise is a betrayal of our commitment to justice and an evasion of our responsibility under both domestic and international law.”
The coalition urged the government to honor its treaty obligations and fully cooperate with the ICC. They asserted that justice for victims of crimes against humanity must take precedence over political interests or attempts to shield powerful individuals from accountability.
