Philippines has 'legal, diplomatic obligation' to cooperate if ICC issues warrant vs Duterte--solon

Former president Rodrigo Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN) 

Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua says the Philippine government has a legal and diplomatic obligation to cooperate with international bodies such as the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

Chua had this to say Monday, March 10, amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant against president Rodrigo Duterte.

“Well kung totoo nga po na meron, meron po kasi tayong legal and diplomatic obligation na dapat po nating sundin (Well if it's true that there is one, then we have a legal and diplomatic obligation that we must follow),” said the chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

Chua said that while the Philippines has withdrawn from the ICC, its membership in Interpol remains intact. This binds the nation to certain international protocols, said the lawyer-legislator. 

It was March 2018 when then-president Duterte ordered the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute, which created the ICC. 

The ICC is looking into Duterte's bloody war on illegal drugs for alleged crimes against humanity. 

Chua reiterated that while the Philippines has withdrawn from the ICC, its obligations under international law, particularly through its ties with Interpol, remain.

“Tayo po ay parte pa rin ng Interpol. In fact, nung tayo po ay hinanap po natin si Alice Guo sa ibang bansa ay humingi rin tayo ng tulong at suporta sa Interpol (We are still part of Interpol. In fact, we sought interpol's help when we were searching fo Alice Guo in other countries),” he explained.

The Manila solon said that it would be contradictory for the Philippines to seek Interpol’s help in locating fugitives but refuse to comply when international agencies seek assistance.

“Kaya hindi naman po maganda na tayo ay tataliwas dito dahil kung tayo po’y nangangailangan, sila naman ay ina-accommodate tayo kasi miyembro po tayo nito,” he explained.

(It would be a bad look if we will reject this because whenever we're in need, we get accommodated due to our membership with them.)