Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday commended 18 individuals identified as former Marines and Navy personnel who came forward to accuse two former officials of allegedly financing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators.
“Hanga ako sa tapang ng mga dating security personnel ni Zaldy Co na naglakas-loob magsalita batay sa kanilang personal na kaalaman tungkol sa mga usaping matagal ko nang nalalaman,” Duterte said in a statement.
On Tuesday, the group—described by their lawyer Levito Baligod as “bagmen” of former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co—claimed that Co and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV provided financial support to ICC investigators.
Their joint affidavit, submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, alleged that the two officials funded hotel accommodations, vehicle use, and security services.
Duterte said she had long been aware of the ICC’s activities in the Philippines, which prompted her to formally write to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. about the matter.
“Bunga nito, pormal akong sumulat sa Pangulo upang makuha on record ang posisyon ng Administrasyon. Ang naging tugon niya ay, ‘We will not cooperate in any way, shape, or form’—isang tahasang pagkilala na ang mga hakbang ng ICC ay itinuturing na paglapastangan sa soberanya ng Pilipinas,” she said.
According to Duterte, the testimonies reinforced her earlier warnings to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and his ally Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, about the ICC’s presence in the country.
“Ang mga impormasyong ito ay hindi maaaring isantabi o ipagwalang-bahala,” she stressed.
“Ang usaping ito ay hindi usaping pampulitika. Hindi ito simpleng alitan ng mga personalidad. Ito ay tungkol sa pangunahing prinsipyo ng ating pambansang soberanya at sa limitasyon ng panghihimasok ng mga dayuhang institusyon sa domestic affairs ng ating bansa,” she added.
Meanwhile, the ICC prosecutor’s office rejected the allegations, saying investigative activities are independently conducted and fully funded through the Court’s official budget.
“OTP activities are funded through the Court’s budget approved by the ICC Assembly of States Parties and subject to established oversight mechanisms. The costs related to OTP prosecutions and investigative activities, including mission expenses, are fully covered by this budget, and managed strictly by the Office in an independent and transparent manner, and in accordance with ICC financial rules and regulations,” the prosecutor said.