Malacañang has acknowledged that the Marcos Jr. administration is “indirectly cooperating” with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to help provide justice to victims and witnesses of the Duterte administration’s violent war on drugs.
“It can be said that it is indirectly cooperating with the ICC. But the primary intention of the government is to help the victims and the witnesses of the victims to get the justice they need,” said Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro during a press briefing.
She added that this aligns with President Marcos Jr.’s desire “to ensure justice is served where it is due.”
Castro clarified that the Department of Justice will assist witnesses in testifying to ensure justice is delivered, though this will not involve direct cooperation with the ICC.
She emphasized that the government’s efforts are focused on helping Filipino citizens who seek redress.
Quoting the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Castro said:
“The CHR, as constitutionally mandated, has always made its services readily available… in its pursuit of justice and accountability for alleged violations of human rights, whether local or abroad, with the assistance of relevant government agencies if necessary.”
Previously, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that the government would shoulder the expenses of witnesses who would testify before the ICC in the case involving crimes against humanity against former President Rodrigo Duterte. (ZIA LUNA)
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