President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines' dealings with the International Criminal Court (ICC) have ended following the court's decision to pursue its investigation into the previous administration's drug war.

In an interview with reporters in Zamboanga Sibugay on Friday, July 21, the President said that as far as the Philippines was concerned, it was done with the ICC.

"That's it. We have no appeals pending. We have no more actions being taken. So, I suppose that puts an end to our dealings with the ICC," Marcos said.

"So, we continue to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines and continue to question the jurisdiction of the ICC in their investigations here in the Philippines," he added.

According to the President, the Philippines will not cooperate with any investigation conducted by the ICC as the latter has "no jurisdiction" over the Philippines.

Marcos was referring to the order of former president Rodrigo Duterte on March 17, 2019, to terminate the Rome Statute that created the ICC after former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda continued with the preliminary examination of the alleged human rights abuses under his infamous drug war.

During the interview, the Chief Executive emphasized that the investigation should be conducted by Filipinos.

"They (ICC prosecutors) are talking about Filipinos. Their alleged crimes are here in the Philippines. The victims are Filipinos; bakit mapupunta sa (why should it reach) The Hague? Kaya’t dito dapat (It should be here),” Marcos said.

“Basta tapos na lahat ng ating pag-uusap sa ICC. Kagaya ng sinasabi namin mula sa simula (We're done talking with the ICC. As we have said from the beginning), we will not cooperate with them in any way, shape, or form,” he added.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said the engagement of the Philippines with the ICC has ended with the rendition of judgment by the ICC Appeals Chambers.

He said the Philippines would instead focus on its own investigation and prosecution of crimes related to the anti-drug campaign.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

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