President Marcos is preparing what steps to take should the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue arrest warrants against Filipinos, including former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday, May 8.
“The department is now preparing a legal briefer for the President which will describe to him ‘yung mga options na available sa kanya (the options available to him) in relation to any arrest warrants by the ICC,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV told journalists.
“So the briefer will be an objective statement or analysis of the pros and cons of each option kasi aware naman tayo ‘yung policy na ‘yan ng gobyerno na hindi papasukin ang ICC ay possible naman mag-iba (because we are aware that the policy of the government not to allow the ICC into the country may change),” he explained.
He disclosed that the President gave this directive to the DOJ and the Office of the Solicitor General OSG) even before former senator Antonio Trillanes IV made claims last Tuesday, May 7, that the ICC might issue the arrest warrants this June.
The ICC is investigating allegations that crimes against humanity were committed during the illegal drugs war under the Duterte administration when thousands of persons were killed due to their alleged involvement in dangerous narcotics.
Upon the instruction of President Marcos, Clavano explained that the briefer which is being prepared not only contains issues on the issuance of arrest warrants but also matters concerning the ICC.
Among other things, Clavano said that the briefer will also include the option to have the Philippines return to the ICC after Duterte ordered the country’s withdrawal.
“What are the implications of staying out, what are the implications of going back, what are the legal obligations that may arise. Lahat po yan pati na rin yung pag dating ng possible or alleged ICC warrants of arrest, kasama na rin po yan sa legal briefer (the breifer includes everything as well as the arrival of the ICC arrest warrants),” he said.
In the meantime, Clavano declined to provide more details about the briefer that is being prepared.
“That’s something that will have to be confidential for now dahil syempre (because) these discussions and legal analysis are only for the eyes of the President until he chooses a direction or may decision na po s’ya (or he has a decision) then it will have to be kept confidential,” he said.