President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the non-participation of the Philippine government in the proceedings of the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite the summons by former President Rodrigo Duterte to conduct an investigation. While in Oriental Mindoro, Marcos stated that the government would not participate in the ICC processes. "If this is what PRRD (President Rodrigo Duterte) wants, then we will not obstruct, but we will not offer assistance," Marcos said.
He emphasized that the policy remains unchanged: "We are not cooperating with the ICC." Meanwhile, Marcos pointed out that if a Red Notice from Interpol appears, the Philippines would be obliged to participate.
According to Interpol, a Red Notice is a request for the location and temporary detention of a person pending extradition or similar legal procedures. The Philippines, which has been a member of Interpol since June 12, 1952, is required to comply with these obligations. In 2005, the ICC and Interpol signed an agreement on cooperation, providing access to the ICC to Interpol's global police network I-24/7, as well as resources such as the Red Notice system, which informs organization members about persons wanted for criminal prosecution.
Although the Philippines exited the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, on March 17, 2019, during Duterte's presidency, the court asserts that it maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed in the Philippines during the time the state was a member of the statute. "As previously stated by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, we have obligations before Interpol, and we must comply with them. We are obliged to fulfill these obligations," Marcos explained. "But if he agrees, if he wants to discuss or be represented by the ICC, that is his choice. We do not make decisions regarding this matter," he added.
