President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.’s decision to bring former President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign has sparked deep outrage and division within the Philippines. This move, rather than serving the cause of justice, undermines the sovereignty of the nation and discredits its judicial system. More importantly, it demonstrates an egregious lack of gratitude and moral responsibility from Marcos Jr., considering Duterte’s pivotal role in the Marcos family's political resurgence.
The Case for the Philippine Justice System
Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign was a cornerstone of his administration, and any allegations of human rights abuses should have been addressed by the Philippine courts, not an international tribunal. The nation possesses a functioning and robust judiciary—flawed as it may be, yet fully capable of conducting legal proceedings. By bypassing the Philippine justice system, President Marcos Jr. has essentially declared it untrustworthy, an affront to the courts, justices, judges, lawyers, and legal professionals who work tirelessly within its framework.
The Philippines is not a failed state. Unlike nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the ICC frequently intervenes due to judicial collapse, the Philippine courts remain active and operational. The decision to extradite Duterte sends an insulting message—that the country’s legal institutions are inadequate to handle its own affairs, a notion deeply offensive to the legal community and the broader Filipino public.
Marcos Jr.’s Lack of Gratitude and Political Betrayal
Beyond the judicial implications, this move exposes President Marcos Jr.’s moral bankruptcy. It was Duterte who enabled the Marcos family’s return to political prominence. A defining moment in this process was Duterte’s approval of the reburial of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, a move that contributed significantly to the restoration of the Marcos name. To now discard Duterte—an elderly statesman in frail health—by allowing his extradition is nothing short of political betrayal.
Filipino culture places immense value on utang na loob, or debt of gratitude. By disregarding this principle, Marcos Jr. risks alienating not only Duterte’s supporters but also a broader spectrum of Filipinos who see this as an act of disloyalty. The message is clear: political alliances are disposable, and history means nothing.
The Repercussions: A Nation in Disarray
This move has far-reaching consequences beyond Duterte himself. Millions of Filipinos supported his administration because they felt safer under his leadership. The aggressive crackdown on the drug trade reduced crime, providing peace of mind to ordinary citizens and especially, to millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who enjoyed peace of mind, reassured that their families at home enjoyed a more secure environment.
Duterte’s presidency was not without controversy, but many viewed his campaign as a necessary action against a pressing societal issue.
Now, with Marcos Jr.’s decision, the country is teetering on the edge of Durkheim’s concept of anomie—a state of normlessness and social instability. The outrage, disillusionment, and sense of betrayal felt by Duterte’s millions of supporters could lead to political and social turmoil reminiscent of the pre-EDSA Revolution era. If left unchecked, this unrest could weaken the government’s legitimacy and destabilize the nation.
A Sovereign Nation, or a Puppet of a Largely Ignored Organization?
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of this situation is the manner in which Duterte was sent to the Netherlands. Who furnished the Lear private jet that transported him? Was it arranged by the Philippine government, or was this an operation dictated by foreign influences? The idea that the Philippine National Police (PNP) was mobilized to serve an arrest warrant issued by a foreign court is repugnant to the territorial and inward-looking nature of Filipinos. It suggests that the nation is no longer in control of its own destiny, a humiliation that many Filipinos refuse to accept.
Conclusion
President Marcos Jr.’s decision to send Duterte to the ICC has the makings of a catastrophic misstep that insults the Philippine justice system, disregards the values of gratitude and loyalty, and risks plunging the country into social instability. It degrades Duterte, a leader who remains beloved by millions, to the status of African dictators who rule over failed states, a category the ICC has traditionally associated with. This is a comparison that is both inaccurate and offensive. Marcos Jr.'s move undermines national sovereignty, disrespects legal institutions, and reeks of political betrayal.
If history has taught Filipinos anything, it is that political treachery does not go unpunished. Marcos Jr. may soon learn this from the results of the coming May 12 elections, or, like his father, he might learn it the hard way.
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