The Marcos administration will not disregard International Criminal Court (ICC)-related requests channeled through Interpol despite the country’s withdrawal from the Roman Statute’s jurisdiction since 2019, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said.
Bersamin made the remarks in a briefing on Friday, January 24 after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Philippines is softening its stance on the ICC’s investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s illegal drug war.
According to Bersamin, the administration will cooperate with Interpol in international law enforcement collaboration cases even if the country no longer recognizes the ICC’s jurisdiction.
“If the ICC makes a move and courses the request through Interpol for the arrest or custody of a person under ICC jurisdiction, we will respond positively to the Interpol request,” Bersamin said.
“It’s a matter of committee, of maintaining good relations. We cannot disregard their requests and expect them to assist us in return,” he added.
When asked about potential areas of cooperation between the Philippines and the ICC, Bersamin noted that there are no definite agreements or immediate plans for collaboration.
However, he reiterated that the government’s stance on the ICC has not softened, contrary to recent interpretations.
“Our position is clear: we are no longer under the ICC’s jurisdiction. But respecting an Interpol request is a separate matter,” Bersamin said.
The “war on drugs” was the flagship policy that propelled Duterte to power in 2016 as a tough-talking, crime-fighting mayor, fulfilling his fiery campaign promises to eliminate thousands of drug dealers.
In 2019, the outspoken Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC’s founding treaty after it began investigating allegations of widespread extrajudicial killings.
Until recently, the Philippines had declined to cooperate with the ICC investigation, which was officially announced in 2023. (TCSP)
