MASADA cites US EO in ICC payment allegations

The alleged $2 million payoff to investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC) pursuing crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte is a direct violation of Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14203, which authorizes sanctions against foreign nationals involved in ICC actions deemed contrary to the interests of the United States, Israel, and their allies, Duterte supporters said Tuesday.

In a statement, the Masa Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) cited claims by 18 former Marines who alleged they delivered approximately P805 billion to unnamed government officials and were instructed to facilitate the transfer of $2 million (around P115.3 million) to an ICC official. The group described the alleged transaction as a “direct defiance” of U.S. sanctions policy.

MASADA issued the statement in response to reports that the U.S. State Department is preparing broad sanctions against ICC officials and affiliated organizations involved in investigations concerning Israel and other U.S. allies, including the Philippines.

Under Executive Order 14203, individuals and entities that assist or cooperate in ICC investigations, arrests, or the detention of Duterte at the ICC facility in The Hague, Netherlands, could face U.S. sanctions. MASADA convenor Benito Raquepo said the order effectively covers Duterte, arguing that the Philippines is a longstanding U.S. ally.

Sanctions Implications

Under the executive order, all property and interests in property of sanctioned individuals within the United States, or under the control of U.S. persons, would be blocked and must be reported to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Entities owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by blocked persons would also be subject to sanctions.

In their affidavit, the former Marines alleged that the $2 million was intended for ICC investigators and was delivered to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

One of the affiants claimed that shortly before ICC investigators arrived in the Philippines in December 2023, they were instructed to prepare two bags containing P56 million, allegedly for “foreigners.” The Marines later identified the recipients as ICC officers who were scheduled to interview witnesses in the drug war investigation.

Trillanes has publicly acknowledged that ICC representatives visited the Philippines in December 2023 to meet with witnesses but has strongly denied receiving $2 million from former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co in connection with the ICC probe.

Lawyer Levi Baligod alleged that ICC investigators interviewed only witnesses identified by Trillanes, conducted interviews on private properties instead of in government offices, and allowed politically opposed individuals to shoulder expenses such as transportation, food, and accommodations.

“The ICC investigators themselves committed graft and corruption,” Baligod alleged.

The ICC has consistently maintained that its investigations adhere to strict legal and procedural standards.

The former Marines also recounted alleged billion-peso “deliveries” purportedly carried out under instructions from security officials they had previously served under, including former lawmaker Zaldy Co.