Statement of Malacañang on Talks about PH Rejoining the ICC
MALACAÑANG – The Palace said President Bongbong Marcos is open to talks over the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute on March 17, 2018 during the term of then Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The ICC investigation of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs did not sit well with the then Chief Executive.
Despite the withdrawal of the country from the Rome Statute, the ICC maintained that there are allegations against Duterte of crimes happening between November 2011 to March 2019 when the country was still under the Rome Statute. Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands as he is faced with an accusation of crimes against humanity before the ICC due to his war on drugs.
The lawyers of Duterte has filed for an interim release bid of the former President to the ICC. A country, which was undisclosed by Duterte’s camp, is allegedly willing to take in the former President if the ICC grants his interim release.
Duterte’s arrest last March 11 caused political turmoil in the Philippine government. On the same day that he was arrested by the Philippine authorities, he was exited from the country for the turning over of his custody to the International Criminal Court. Amid the criticisms, Malacañang stressed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos did not commit betrayal over what happened.
According to Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro, the government only did its job. Marcos Jr. also claimed that the government acted only because of its commitment with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and not because the arrest warrant is from the ICC.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is detained in The Hague marking his 100th day in ICC detention yesterday. According to his son, Davao Congressman Paolo Duterte, his father is now suffering alone after giving his life to the nation.
Despite the ICC insisting the presence of the accusations against Duterte when the Philippines was still under the Rome Statute, the jurisdiction of the foreign court in the country remains a defense of Duterte’s camp. The issue has sparked doubts on whether or not the current government is considering the idea of PH rejoining the ICC. Malacañang was recently asked about it.
Based on a report on PhilStar, Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro said Pres. Bongbong Marcos is open to discussions over the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the ICC. The Palace official said that based on the last time that she and the President spoke over the matter, Marcos said he’s open to it.
”Sa aking palagay opo at kaya lang hindi po ngayon napag-uusapan ang bagay na ‘yan pero sa mga ganitong suggestion, open naman po ang Pangulo para po ito ay mapag-usapan,” Castro said.
Recently, on her father’s bid for an interim release from the ICC, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte called her father “super senior” citizen. According to her, the 80-year-old former President has needs that cannot be met inside the ICC detention facility in The Hague and he can be taken cared better with nurses and caregivers if his interim release bid would be granted.