Human rights lawyer Gilbert Andres criticized Vice President Sara Duterte over her remarks about the ICC, saying the tribunal exists to pursue justice and accountability for victims of international crimes.

“The ICC only cares about justice, truth and accountability,” Andres said in an interview in front of the Department of Justice on Friday.

He also said victims of the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign continue to seek justice.

“Let’s never forget that the victims of Duterte’s war on drugs are crying for truth, justice and accountability,” he said.

Andres accused the Vice President of attempting to discredit the tribunal.

“What VP Sara is doing is big-time gaslighting of the ICC, and it shows that she does not respect institutions of accountability such as the ICC,” he said.

Myanmar referenced

Meanwhile, Andres also said the same Philippine law cited by authorities in implementing requests from the ICC involving former president Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa provides the legal basis for prosecuting alleged war crimes committed in Myanmar.

Speaking to reporters, Andres said Section 17 of Republic Act 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity, grants Philippine courts universal jurisdiction over international crimes, including war crimes committed outside the country.

“The same Section 17 of the IHL Act was invoked to enter Mr. Duterte into the ICC. The same Section 17 of the IHL Act was invoked by the DOJ and other law enforcement agencies to implement the ICC’s requests involving Senator Bato,” Andres said.