President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has spoken out against the killings that occurred during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs,” stating that it was not right to kill thousands in the fight against crime and illegal drugs. Marcos made these remarks during a campaign sortie on the same day Duterte was scheduled to appear before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
This development comes as Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s anti-drug campaign, which resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. The ICC has been investigating Duterte’s alleged role in these killings since 2019.
Marcos’ statement marks a significant shift in tone, as his administration had previously been criticized for its handling of human rights issues. The Philippine government has appealed the ICC’s decision to resume its investigation into the “war on drugs,” citing concerns over sovereignty and jurisdiction.
