The Philippine government has not discussed any plans to rejoin the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.
Speaking to the media, Castro emphasized that the issue has not been brought up within the administration. Her statement comes amid renewed discussions about the country’s stance on international justice mechanisms.
She also addressed concerns over the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, asserting that it was conducted legally. This contradicts claims from various groups questioning the legitimacy of the arrest.
The Rome Statute, which the Philippines ratified in 2011, seeks to prosecute individuals for crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. However, the country withdrew from the treaty in 2019, citing concerns over alleged bias in the ICC’s probe into the government’s anti-drug operations.
While Castro reaffirmed the government’s current position, it remains uncertain whether this stance may change in the future.
