Malacañang said Thursday that the United States understands the Philippines’ position on the International Criminal Court, adding that the issue was not discussed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez had previously discussed the matter with officials of the U.S. State Department.
According to Castro, Romualdez explained that the ICC remains a “sensitive matter” for the Philippines because of the country’s remaining obligations and cooperation with the International Criminal Police Organization, or Interpol.
“Ang sabi po ay nauunawaan ang sensitibong bagay na ito sa ating bansa,” Castro said during a press briefing.
The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in 2019 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The ICC, however, has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a state party to the Rome Statute, from November 2011 until the withdrawal took effect in March 2019.
Former President Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Castro did not elaborate on any discussions between Philippine and U.S. officials regarding Duterte’s case, reiterating only that Washington understands Manila’s position on the ICC issue.
