July 21, 2023
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has agreed with “full disengagement” of Philippines from the International Criminal Court (ICC), Solicitor-General Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.
This comes after ICC Appeals Chamber upheld the authorization given by the Pre-Trial Chamber for ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to continue with the investigation on the anti-drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The probe covers the alleged extra-judicial killings and the reported existence of the Davao Death Squad.
Voting 3-2, the chamber junked the appeal filed by Philippines.
In its plea, Philippines insisted the ICC no longer has jurisdiction over the country following its withdrawal of its membership from the international tribunal.
Government’s withdrawal took effect on March 16, 2019.
Guevarra said he discussed the matter with the President.
“I advised him about the full disengagement, and he agreed,” Guevarra reported.
“No further steps as far as the state is concerned,” he added.
Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also issued a similar statement on disengagement.
He had warned that if ICC representatives tried to enter the country, it would constitute “usurpation of authority of the Philippine government.”
Hence, this will be a violation of Philippine laws.
Philippine government maintained it is doing its own investigation into the drug war and that the country’s judicial system is functioning.
Thus, there is no need for foreign intervention.