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Philippines Concludes Dealing With ICC Over Duterte's Drug War Investigation
Photo credit: PCO
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the Philippines is officially done with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision came after the ICC rejected the appeal of the Philippine government challenging the jurisdiction of its investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP) in Zamboanga Peninsula, President Marcos emphasized that the ICC no longer holds jurisdiction over the Philippines since the country terminated its ties with the tribunal on 17 March 2019, following Duterte's order to withdraw from the Rome Statute that established the ICC. The move came as former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda continued with the preliminary examination.
"We have no more appeals pending. We have no more actions being taken. So, I suppose that puts an end to our dealings with the ICC," President Marcos stated. He asserted that the Philippines will continue to defend its sovereignty and question the ICC's investigations within the country.
The President made it clear that the Philippine government will not cooperate with any further investigation conducted by the ICC on their soil. "They (ICC prosecutors) are talking about Filipinos. Their alleged crimes are here in the Philippines; the victims are Filipino; bakit mapupunta sa The Hague? Kaya’t dito," Marcos said, questioning the need for taking such cases to The Hague.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra confirmed that the Philippines' engagement with the ICC has formally ended with the ICC Appeals Chambers' judgment. Instead, the country will now concentrate on conducting its independent investigation and prosecution of crimes related to the anti-drug campaign.
This development marks a significant moment in the Philippines' stance towards the ICC's investigation into Duterte's controversial war on drugs. With their decision to sever ties with the international tribunal, the Philippines aims to maintain its sovereignty and handle any related criminal cases on its own terms.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP) in Zamboanga Peninsula, President Marcos emphasized that the ICC no longer holds jurisdiction over the Philippines since the country terminated its ties with the tribunal on 17 March 2019, following Duterte's order to withdraw from the Rome Statute that established the ICC. The move came as former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda continued with the preliminary examination.
"We have no more appeals pending. We have no more actions being taken. So, I suppose that puts an end to our dealings with the ICC," President Marcos stated. He asserted that the Philippines will continue to defend its sovereignty and question the ICC's investigations within the country.
The President made it clear that the Philippine government will not cooperate with any further investigation conducted by the ICC on their soil. "They (ICC prosecutors) are talking about Filipinos. Their alleged crimes are here in the Philippines; the victims are Filipino; bakit mapupunta sa The Hague? Kaya’t dito," Marcos said, questioning the need for taking such cases to The Hague.
Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra confirmed that the Philippines' engagement with the ICC has formally ended with the ICC Appeals Chambers' judgment. Instead, the country will now concentrate on conducting its independent investigation and prosecution of crimes related to the anti-drug campaign.
This development marks a significant moment in the Philippines' stance towards the ICC's investigation into Duterte's controversial war on drugs. With their decision to sever ties with the international tribunal, the Philippines aims to maintain its sovereignty and handle any related criminal cases on its own terms.
Jul 21, 2023
