By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is not currently considering rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC), but clarified that the administration is not permanently closing the door on future discussions regarding possible membership in the Rome Statute.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President’s latest position remains unchanged, although the matter could still be studied in the future.
“Ang huli niyang sinabi ay hindi pa po magri-rejoin. So, kung kinakailangan po sigurong aralin sa mga susunod na araw ay hindi naman po sarado ang Pangulo diyan (In our last conversation, he said we will not rejoin. So if there’s a need to review in the next couple of days, the President is not closing the door about that),” Castro said.
The Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under former President Rodrigo Duterte following the ICC’s preliminary examination into his administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.
The issue resurfaced amid renewed discussions on the possible enforcement of an ICC arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during Duterte’s drug war.
Castro maintained that while the Philippines no longer recognizes ICC jurisdiction as a member-state, the government continues to operate under Republic Act 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
She said the law provides mechanisms either for surrender or extradition in relation to international tribunals.
Castro said Marcos’ standing directive to law enforcement agencies is to comply with existing laws.
“Ang lagi naman pong utos ng Pangulo sa lahat ng enforcement agencies… dapat lamang ay sumunod kung ano ang sinasabi ng batas (What the President always want for all enforcement agencies is to follow the law),” she said.
Asked about concerns that the Senate’s declaration of protective custody over Dela Rosa could complicate the enforcement of any arrest warrant, Castro said parliamentary privilege has limitations.
She added the government has obligations not only under domestic law but also toward alleged victims of extrajudicial killings. (PNA)
