Malacañang clarifies no direct cooperation with ICC

Malacañang clarified on Friday that the government is not directly cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), despite Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla's statement suggesting otherwise.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro explained that while the Department of Justice will assist witnesses to testify, this does not equate to direct cooperation with the ICC; the primary intention is to help victims and their witnesses get justice they need.

Castro noted there are currently no discussions within the executive branch regarding rejoining the ICC or providing for the costs associated with bringing witnesses to The Hague.

Justice Secretary Remulla previously stated that three to four witnesses in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte are under government protection, with more expected to follow.

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in 2019 after the court launched an investigation into the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

Recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has shown openness to discussions about rejoining the ICC following his predecessor's arrest and detention by the court.

The Australian government is aware that Duterte has applied for interim release but has not agreed to host him if granted.