By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Despite the pronouncement of some quarters that the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the previous Duterte administration’s war on drugs violates the country’s sovereignty, a survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS) disclosed that at least 25 percent of those polled said they strongly approved of the ICC probe, while 28 percent said they somewhat approved—a total of 53 percent.
Published only on Thursday (February 8), in its December 2023 survey the SWS noted that the approval rating grew from 45 percent in March 2023.
Twenty-nine percent said they had “much trust” in ICC based in The Hague, Netherlands, 55 percent were unsure, while 16 percent had little trust.
However, the SWS survey also showed that the majority of respondents remained unsure whether the ICC would be able to conduct an impartial investigation.
Human rights groups claimed that thousands were victims of extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in the course of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs and the ICC is currently investigating the allegations.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reiterated that the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not have jurisdiction in the Philippines, stressing that he won’t cooperate in the investigation of the war on drugs.
“Let me say this for the 100th time. I do not recognize the jurisdiction of ICC in the Philippines. I do not, I consider it as a threat to our sovereignty. The Philippine government will not lift a finger to help any investigation that the ICC conducts,” Marcos said.
“However, as ordinary people, they can come and visit the Philippines pero hindi kami tutulong sa kanila. Binabantayan namin sila, making sure that hindi sila— that they do not come into contact with any agency of government,” he added.
Also, the Chief Executive said he ordered police agencies and local government units not to entertain ICC if the international body would contact them.
“Huwag niyong sasagutin, ‘yun ang sagot natin. We don’t recognize your jurisdiction, therefore, we will not assist in any way, shape, or form, any of the investigations ICC is doing here in the Philippines,” the President said.
Earlier, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said that a warrant of arrest is expected to be issued against former president Rodrigo Duterte on the war on drugs which he implemented during his administration.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Are the investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC) really here in the country or not?
This is the nagging question that even the Bureau of Immigration (BI) could not ascertain following the proverbial alarm bell being rang by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
On Friday, Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Mico Clavano said the BI could not verify whether personalities from the ICC seeking to investigate the Duterte administration’s “bloody drug war” have already entered the Philippines.
“Upon inquiry doon sa BI, kay Commissioner Norman Tansingco mismo, hindi po nila mabe-verify or ma-confirm kung pumasok nga ba talaga ‘yung mga taga ICC,” Clavano said.
However, he stressed that this is not a denial or a confirmation of the ICC’s presence.
“We’re also not admitting or confirming or acknowledging their presence here in the Philippines. Pwede din naman pong hindi totoo ‘yung balita na ‘yun,” Clavano further said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid rumors of his health condition, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has strongly chided the International Criminal Court (ICC) following allegations by former human rights lawyer Harry Roque that ICC investigators are already in the country to probe the “bloody drug war” under the previous Duterte administration that thousands of suspected drug pushers were reportedly slain in extra-judicial killings (EJKs).
Remulla reminded the ICC that the Philippines is no longer a member of the international body following the order of then-President Duterte to withdraw the country’s membership.
“It is their responsibility and duty to make contact with the DOJ by the principles of international law,” he said.
Surprisingly, the DOJ chief was seemingly oblivious that on November 24, President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. declared that the return of the Philippines to the ICC is “under study.”
On November 29, the House Committees on Human Rights and Justice after two joint meetings adopted the proposed House resolutions urging the government to cooperate with the ICC in its investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Remulla made his statement after learning from Roque, once a noted human rights lawyer who later served as presidential spokesman under the Duterte administration, claiming that ICC investigators have already been in the Philippines.
“They have to respect us. They have to establish a protocol. They have to deal with the duly constituted authorities of the country for this to happen,” Remulla quipped.
(IAmigo/MNM)
MANILA — Former senator Leila De Lima on Tuesday (28 Nov 2023) emphasized that the Philippines’ return to the International Criminal Court (ICC) should not pose a challenge, advocating for cooperation with the tribunal.
De Lima also questioned the withdrawal of the country from the ICC in 2019 under President Duterte’s administration, deeming it questionable and driven by personal interests.
With President Bongbong Marcos considering the possibility of rejoining, De Lima expresses hope for a positive outcome from the ongoing study by the executive department.
She also underscored the importance of ICC membership for attaining justice for victims.
(ai/mnm)
By Ismael Amigo, Sr.
Para tayong nag-dilang anghel.
A few days after this corner discussed (on Saturday, 18 Nov 2023) that the next big “Feature Presentation” after Leila De Lima’s blockbuster release would be no other than the country’s reconnection with the International Criminal Court.
That’s already happening. In fact, it’s boiling up.
Kumbaga sa takure na pakuluan ng tubig na pangkape, nalalapit nang sumipol ito bilang hudyat ng pagkulo.
And mind you, on Friday (24 Nov 2023) VP Sara let out a press lease urging the gentle giants at the House of Representatives to follow, and respect the stand of the Marcos administration on the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue!
Why would VP Sara do that/this?
Could it be that the Davao camp already senses the pot (takure) is nearing the boiling point?
Why would Sen. Bato dela Rosa also issue a statement saying he should already be on guard, prepared for whatever the ICC might ask him to answer?
Granite-like as he is in his decisions, the former chief PNP of the “kill you” FPRRD regime went on to declare that he is actually “avoiding visiting any country” that is ICC-accredited.
We heard that Sen. Christopher BG is also included in the ICC list as one among several respondents of its “crimes against humanity” case directed at the previous regime of FPRRD.
But consistent as he is in the Top 10 senatorial/releectionists in the 2025 mid-term elections, BG prefers to play it cool, silent. Less talk, fewer mistakes.
But no matter what, the ICC thing is the next big THING to happen here!
As we said before, that D5 blockbuster “movie” was simply a prelude, a precursor of the things to come.
If we are not mistaken, Cong Benny Abante of Manila was the one who recently filed a petition at the House to review the possibility of PH reconnecting with the ICC.
The Marcos admin also said “pag-aaralan.”
Why is it important?
It’s because at least 123 countries are states parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Out of them, 33 are from African States, 19 are from Asia-Pacific States, 18 are from Eastern Europe, 28 are from Latin American and Caribbean States, and 25 are from Western European and other States.
Even Cambodia is a party to that although Southeast Asia is a particularly underrepresented sub-region, with Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam yet to connect with the Rome Statute of the ICC.
On 17 July 1998, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted by a vote of 120 to seven, with 21 countries abstaining.
The seven countries that voted against the treaty were China, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Qatar, the U.S., and Yemen.
Nevertheless, why would VP Sara bother herself as to urge the gentle giants of Congress to toe the line regarding PBBM’s stand on the ICC?
The simple answer is that it will besmirch FPRRD’s political reputation and its ripples will also slowly ruin her own gambit in 2028.
I don’t know much about the intricacies of a Queen’s Gambit Declined opening in chess, but there is some parallelism into this as far as VPSD’s 2028 ambition is concerned.
But one thing is sure: as early as now, many are declining this kind of opening.
Maybe, the people want somebody else, somebody gentle but firm far from the “kill you” regime.
Abangan natin mga tao!
By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed the need to be prepared after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. mentioned that the government is exploring the possibility of the Philippines rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“I feel I should be ready for any eventuality because the political situation in the Philippines is very fluid. So I have to be prepared—ready to react, ready to speak, ready to sing, ready to dance. Just ready for whatever comes our way,” Dela Rosa stated.
The former Philippine National Police chief affirmed his readiness to face the Philippine court.
“If it’s a foreign body, I am not willing, but it’s not an indication that I’ll abandon you. You might say, ‘Bato is going to run away.’ I won’t leave. If our court says, ‘Bato, face this, come to us,’ then I will face it,” he asserted.
Dela Rosa, who served as the PNP chief during the implementation of the war on drugs under former President Rodrigo Duterte, remains confident about navigating through the ICC probe into matters related to the war on drugs.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has indicated that the potential return of the Philippines to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently under consideration.
“Should we return under the fold of the ICC? So that is again under study. So we’ll just keep looking at it and see what our options are,” Marcos stated.
This was Marcos’s response to questions regarding the request of House members for the government to cooperate with the ICC’s investigation into the war on drugs.
“They (lawmakers) are just expressing or manifesting the sense of the House that perhaps it is time to allow or to cooperate with the ICC investigations,” Marcos explained.
Three years prior to the resumption of the drug war investigation, the Philippines withdrew from the International Criminal Court in 2019.
“If you are talking about the jurisdiction of the ICC, especially since we withdrew from the Rome Statute a few years back, that brings into question whether or not this is actually possible,” Marcos remarked.
However, he emphasized that foreign entities have no right to decide who should be investigated or arrested.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
APPARENTLY EXPECTING THE WORST scenario, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday said he is willing to face the International Criminal Court (ICC) which will investigate the Rodrigo Roa Duterte administration’s bloody drug war that human rights groups claimed to have victimized 30,000 people, including innocent civilians.
At first, Dela Rosa hesitated why he would need to cooperate with the ICC probe when the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in July refused to comply with the ICC request entry to the country for an investigation.
“Kapag nandiyan ‘yan, wala tayong magawa kundi harapin. Harapin ‘yan. I am very confident naman na malulusutan ko ‘yan, kung kasama ako,” the retired cop-turned-lawmaker said in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
In July, Dela Rosa said that he will avoid going to countries that are member-states of the ICC.
He added that the Philippine government cannot issue an arrest warrant against him since the Philippines does not recognize the ICC.
To recall, before Dela Rosa became Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, he served as Davao City police chief when FPRRD was mayor.
The shadowy Davao Death Squad (DDS) flourished under Duterte and was accused of implementing kill orders from higher-ups that allegedly included the feisty Davao City mayor.
Former DDS member Arturo Lascañas had implicated Dela Rosa as among the alleged “enablers” of Duterte.
(AI/MNM)