President Marcos said he will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC), and even considers it a “threat to our sovereignty,” amid reports that his government allowed its investigators entry to probe the war on drugs policy of the previous administration.
In a media interview Tuesday morning, Jan. 23, Marcos reiterated that he does not recognize the jurisdiction of ICC in the Philippines. But he said the people working for the organization can come and visit the country as ordinary individuals.
“Let me say this for the 100th time. I do not recognize the jurisdiction of [the] ICC in the Philippines. I do not… I consider it a threat to our sovereignty. The Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts,” he told reporters following an event in Quezon City.
“However, as ordinary people, they (ICC) can come and visit the Philippines. But we are not going to help them. In fact, we are monitoring them, making sure that they are not… They do not come into contact with any agency of government,” the President added.
Marcos also instructed law enforcement authorities and government agencies not to cooperate with any representative from the ICC, in case they reach out in aid of their investigation. “Huwag niyong sasagutin, ‘yun ang sagot natin (Don’t answer them, that is our response),” he said.
“That we don’t recognize your jurisdiction; therefore, we will not assist in any way, shape or form—any of the investigation ICC is doing here in the Philippines,” Marcos added. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 during the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The President responded on the issue a day after Senator Ronald dela Rosa challenged him publicly to be “man enough” and clarify his position. In November last year, Marcos said returning into the fold of the international tribunal is “under study” although he recognized problems on jurisdiction issues.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said the government will not stop ICC from investigating Duterte, as long as it operates within Philippine laws. “If they’re getting statements, they’re getting evidence. It’s okay… But we have to clarify many issues, especially about procedure,” he said.
Later, reports circulated quoting former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that ICC investigators entered the country last December and managed to gather enough evidence to support a “warrant of arrest” against the former president.
The ICC Appeals Chamber previously denied the Philippines’ appeal to stop its probe, saying the government failed to prove that it was conducting a legitimate investigation into the drug war killings and prosecution of perpetrators.