De Lima's acquittal and our resistance to China strengthen case against ICC intervention

THOSE who celebrate former senator Leila de Lima's acquittal and yet insist that the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. government cooperate with and allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to pursue the cases against former president Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Ronald de la Rosa and others in relation to the war on drugs waged by the latter are simply contradicting themselves.

The very core of ICC's legitimate jurisdiction rests on the premise that a particular state is unable or unwilling to prosecute. De Lima's acquittal, even if delayed, is a testament to the ability of our courts to render justice in drug-related cases. This comes on the heels of several already decided cases which led to the conviction of police officers for their involvement in the war on drugs.