Bersamin: ICC stance unchanged

The Marcos administration’s position on cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) remains unchanged, according to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Bersamin made the statement following remarks by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, who appeared to signal a softer stance on the ICC. The international court is investigating extrajudicial killings linked to the previous administration’s war on drugs.

Remulla had said that the Department of Justice would engage with the ICC in a “very well-defined manner,” and highlighted efforts by some to bridge the divide between the Philippines and the ICC, with hopes of bringing both sides to the negotiating table. He suggested that there were areas where the two entities could cooperate, but emphasized that boundaries must be clearly defined.

In a press briefing on Friday, Bersamin reiterated the Philippines’ formal withdrawal from the ICC. However, he stressed that the government would be open to cooperating if the ICC made requests through the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

“We have withdrawn from the ICC, and that withdrawal is already in effect. But we’ve been very clear — if the ICC makes a move through Interpol, and Interpol requests the arrest or transfer of a person under ICC jurisdiction, we will respond positively,” Bersamin stated. “We also benefit from Interpol in other cases.”

Bersamin further explained that the Philippines practices “comity,” a principle by which political entities, like countries, mutually recognize each other’s jurisdiction. He emphasized that there are no definitive statements of cooperation with the ICC, but noted that Interpol’s requests should always be respected.