Former senator Leila de Lima has asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to clarify if the study he ordered about the country’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) has ended.
De Lima was reacting to Marcos’ announcement that the Philippine government will not cooperate with the ICC’s investigation into the alleged crimes committed by the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte under its “war on drugs” campaign.
(From left) Former President Rodrigo Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former senator Leila de Lima (Toto Lozano/Presidential Photo, Presidential Communications Office, Noel Pabalate)
Marcos said he does not recognize ICC’s jurisdiction in the country.
“Let me say this for the 100th time. I do not recognize the jurisdiction of ICC in the Philippines. I do not, I consider it as a threat to our sovereignty. The Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts,” he said during a media interview after an event in Quezon City.
He added, “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— that they do not come into contact with any agency of government.”
According to De Lima, “With PBBM's no cooperation with ICC ‘in any way, shape, form’ pronouncement, does this mean that the study that he supposedly ordered has been concluded, with such position as the outcome? Pakilinaw naman po (Please clarify).”
Marcos ordered government agencies not to cooperate with the ICC.
“Huwag niyong sasagutin, ‘yun ang sagot natin. That we don’t recognize your jurisdiction, therefore, we will not assist in any way, shape or form, any of the investigations ICC is doing here in the Philippines,” he said.
Under the administration of Duterte, the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty, in 2018.
The ICC said it was notified by the United Nations that the Philippines deposited a written notification of its withdrawal from the Rome Statute on March 17, 2018. The withdrawal of the Philippines took effect a year later.
During an event in Taguig in November last year, Marcos said the Philippines’ return to the ICC was under study.
“There is always a question: Should we return under the fold of the ICC? So, that’s again under study. So, we’ll just keep looking at it and see what our options are,” the President said.
The Liberal Party said it was dismayed by the President’s decision not to cooperate with the ICC investigation.
“Instead of supporting the pursuit of truth and justice for countless victims, the President's stance disregards the legitimate concerns of the families of thousands who perished in the drug war. By obstructing the ICC's investigation, the administration betrays its sworn duty to uphold the rule of law and protect its citizens from human rights abuses. This move also further weakens the Philippines' credibility as a champion of democracy and the principles of international law, jeopardizing vital relationships with allies and partners,” it said in a statement.
It said, “The ICC's involvement offers a crucial avenue for an independent and impartial investigation into a complex and sensitive issue. By shutting the door on the ICC, the government hinders the possibility of closure for victims' families and impedes genuine accountability for potential human rights violations.”
“While this decision is a setback, we retain hope that the ICC, utilizing its independent mandate, will expeditiously complete its investigation and lead to a rightful conclusion and the long-awaited accountability for all involved,” the Liberal Party added.