As the President’s adviser on human rights, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque demeans his position by justifying President Duterte’s improvident decision for the Philippines to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Bolting the ICC is abandoning the Rome Statute which is a global bastion for protecting human rights against the brutalities of national leaders.

Roque must have conveniently forgotten that he vigorously campaigned for the Philippines’ ratification of the Rome Statute, hailed the country’s accession to the ICC, and even filed House Bill No. 2835, entitled “An Act in Compliance by the Republic of the Philippines with its Obligations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”

Now he proclaims, without factual bases, that the Philippine withdrawal would spell the “beginning of the end” for ICC as there would be an “avalanche of other States leaving” the ICC on the heels of the Philippine disengagement.

These forecasts are nightmarish projections which are unfounded and irresponsible.

Roque’s nightmares began ever since he was anointed as the President’s official apologist.

One can afford to dream because dreams are free, but nightmares could be fatal.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN