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Tolentino to OSG: Monitor ICC proceedings despite PH's disengagement
Philippines
National
Tolentino to OSG: Monitor ICC proceedings despite PH's disengagement
Tolentino to OSG: Monitor ICC proceedings despite PH's disengagement
Published Jul 21, 2023 06:14 am
Senator Francis Tolentino on Friday, July 21 urged the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to still monitor the proceedings at the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite the government’s decision to disengage from the international tribunal.
Sen. Francis Tolentino (Senate PRIB Photo)
While disengagement from the ICC is the appropriate manner on how its decision to pursue the drug war killings during the Duterte administration should be approached, Tolentino said authorities should still be monitoring “what would be happening within the premises of the ICC.”
“So if the investigation would proceed, I think it would be wise for the OSG’s office to monitor what is happening because our disengagement would really not mean a total lack of communication. We should be aware of what is going on,” Tolentino said in an interview on CNN Philippines.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights also raised the probability that the ICC may quash any warrant of arrest against individuals who are named in the drug killings probe.
“Considering that this is a split decision, there’s a chance that even if the warrant of arrest is issued, that it can be quashed or set aside by the pre-trial chamber,” Tolentino said, adding that an arrest warrant can also be quashed if there is insufficient evidence.
Tolentino also said authorities can prevent the ICC officials from entering the country following President Marcos’ decision to disengage and the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and the chief implementer of then president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, is expected to be one of the respondents in the ICC probe.
The Senate, however, has yet to discuss whether to approve a resolution protecting him from the ICC.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri had said he would not allow Dela Rosa to be arrested by the ICC unless the tribunal is able to obtain one issued by a local court.
Sen. Francis Tolentino (Senate PRIB Photo)
While disengagement from the ICC is the appropriate manner on how its decision to pursue the drug war killings during the Duterte administration should be approached, Tolentino said authorities should still be monitoring “what would be happening within the premises of the ICC.”
“So if the investigation would proceed, I think it would be wise for the OSG’s office to monitor what is happening because our disengagement would really not mean a total lack of communication. We should be aware of what is going on,” Tolentino said in an interview on CNN Philippines.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights also raised the probability that the ICC may quash any warrant of arrest against individuals who are named in the drug killings probe.
“Considering that this is a split decision, there’s a chance that even if the warrant of arrest is issued, that it can be quashed or set aside by the pre-trial chamber,” Tolentino said, adding that an arrest warrant can also be quashed if there is insufficient evidence.
Tolentino also said authorities can prevent the ICC officials from entering the country following President Marcos’ decision to disengage and the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and the chief implementer of then president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, is expected to be one of the respondents in the ICC probe.
The Senate, however, has yet to discuss whether to approve a resolution protecting him from the ICC.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri had said he would not allow Dela Rosa to be arrested by the ICC unless the tribunal is able to obtain one issued by a local court.