Rights groups urge Philippines to rejoin International Criminal Court

International human rights groups are urging the Philippines to rejoin the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). This call follows the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in March 2019 under Duterte's orders. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, emphasize the need for the Marcos administration to cooperate with the ICC and address ongoing issues related to drug-related killings. Reports indicate that drug-related extrajudicial killings continue in the Philippines, with nearly one death per day. Activists are calling for reforms to the harsh drug policies implemented during Duterte's presidency.