President Marcos has once again stood by his pronouncement that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the Philippines and it will "not lift a finger" to help them in any of its investigation.
"Let me say this for the 100th time. I do not recognize the jurisdiction of ICC in the Philippines. I do not--- I find---I consider it as a threat to our sovereignty, therefore, the Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts," Marcos said in an ambush interview in Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
The President made the statement to clarify if the Philippine government has allowed the ICC to enter the country and cooperate with them in their drug war probe.
He insisted that the government will not help and they are watching the ICC's movement to make sure "that they do not come into contact with any agency of government."
"However, as ordinary people, they can come and visit the Philippines pero hindi kami tutulong sa kanila (but we will not help them). In fact, binabantayan namin sila, making sure that hindi sila (In fact, we are watching them, making sure) that they do not come into contact with any agency of government," Marcos said.
The Chief Executive also bared that he has told the police and local governments to not respond to the ICC as he does not recognize the body's jurisdiction over the country.
"And if they are contacting agencies of government, na sasabihin--- pulis man, local government, sabihin noong--- h'wag niyong sasagutin, ‘yun ang sagot natin (be it the police, local government, do not respond, that is our answer). That we do not recognize your jurisdiction, therefore, we will not assist in any way, shape or form, any of the investigations that the ICC is doing here in the Philippines," he stressed.
On Jan. 23, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa called on Marcos to man up and formally confirm claims that ICC investigators have already concluded their investigation against former president Rodrigo Duterte and other personalities linked to the deadly anti-illegal drugs campaign of the previous administration.