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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
June 20, 2025 | 12:00am
This photo shows the international criminal court.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — Months after the arrest and detention of former president Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague over alleged crimes against humanity, Malacañang said President Marcos is open to talks on the call for the Philippines to return to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
While there have been no discussions yet on bringing back the country to the international tribunal, Marcos is open to the suggestion, according to Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.
“During our last conversation... he said he is open (to such a discussion),” Castro said in a press briefing yesterday.
She was asked to react to a report by United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan, who had encouraged the Philippines to “open discussions for re-accession to the Rome Statute” of the ICC.
The Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, was ratified by the Philippines in 2011.
In 2018, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the statute as a response to the court’s plan to investigate his controversial war on drugs, which left more than 6,000 suspects dead.
Khan had also urged the Philippine government to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance “in light of the history of enforced disappearances, unlawful killings and persistent impunity” in the country.
She had also called on the Marcos administration to strengthen free expression and to issue an executive order denouncing red-baiting, popularly known in the Philippines as “red-tagging.”
Castro described Khan’s call for the Philippines to ratify the human rights treaty and to rejoin the ICC as a “good suggestion.”
Castro added that freedom of expression in the country is alive since the President and the government are the “victims of fake news” sometimes.
With regard to Khan’s suggestion for the government to denounce red-baiting, Castro said it would be better if the administration is provided with more information about such incidents so they can be relayed to the President.
100 days in ICC
It has been 100 days since Duterte was flown to the ICC in The Hague where he will be facing trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
His congressman-son, Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte, issued a statement yesterday marking the 100th day of the detention of his father.
“As a son, the pain is immeasurable. As a Filipino, the injustice is unbearable. He is not a criminal. He is a man who gave his life to serve this nation, who walked the most difficult paths so that we may live in peace, free from fear and with dignity,” he said.
Supporters of former president Duterte gathered yesterday in Rizal Park in Davao City to commemorate 100 days of his arrest.
Filing extension
The Office of the Ombudsman gave additional time to Department of Justice prosecutor-general Richard Anthony Fadullon and DOJ undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty to file their respective counter-affidavits to the criminal and administrative complaint filed by Sen. Imee Marcos in connection with Duterte’s alleged illegal arrest and turnover to the ICC.
In an order dated June 18, the ombudsman granted Fadullon and Ty’s motion for extension to file their counter-affidavits giving them until June 27, an extension of 15 days from the original deadline of June 12. – Delon Porcalla, Bella Cariaso, Diana Lhyd Suelto, Elizabeth Marcelo, Jose Rodel Clapano
