Malacañang on Wednesday rejected allegations from Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is utilizing International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants as political weapons against critics of the administration.
Speaking from Kazan, Russia, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro firmly denied claims that the government is manipulating the international tribunal to target political rivals.
Castro pointed out that the current ICC cases originated from complaints lodged by Filipino citizens back in 2017 regarding alleged human rights violations connected to the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
“Unang-una alam naman natin ‘yung ICC, korte ito at meron namang kaso. May kaso na kapwa nating Pilipino ang nagsampa laban sa mga diumanong pang-aabuso patungkol sa EJK. So, huwag natin kalimutan iyan. Pilipino rin po ang nagsampa ng kaso,” Castro said.
The Palace official clarified that any future actions taken by the ICC, including potential arrest warrants, are grounded strictly in legal accountability rather than political maneuvering.
“At kung magkakaroon man at mag-iisyu ng valid warrant of arrest, valid pa rin po yon at mayroon lamang silang nais na mapanagot. Bakit ba natin laging sinisisi ang Korte, sinisisi natin ang administrasyon?” Castro said.
The controversy arose after Paolo Duterte cited a “highly reliable source” claiming that the ICC had issued arrest warrants against Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and two former high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police.
Castro reiterated that because these complaints were filed nearly a decade ago, they cannot be attributed to the actions or political agenda of the current leadership.
“Huwag nating kalimutan ‘yung kaso (ICC) naisampa ito 2017 pa. So, hindi ito wine-weaponize,” she said.
Furthermore, Castro explained that the executive branch is simply focused on addressing calls for justice and ensuring due process runs its course.
“Kinakailangan lang po na matugunan ang hiling ng mga kababayan natin na: Kung kailangan managot, dapat managot. Kung kailangan may malinis na pangalan, malinis ang pangalan. Ang nangyayari po kasi dito lagi na lang ginagamit itong isyu na ito para pagalitin ang kapwa nating Pilipino at pag-usapan ang tungkol sa soberanya,” Castro said.
She concluded by referencing existing domestic laws that govern international legal cooperation, specifically pointing out statutory obligations regarding the turnover of individuals requested by international bodies.
“Tandaan po natin mayroon po tayong batas na mismong nagsasabi na tayo ang bansang Pilipinas ang state natin ay maaaring magsurrender ng mga respondents yun ay naayon sa Republic Act No. 9851,” she said.
Malacañang maintained that the ICC proceedings remain entirely independent legal matters, dismissing any claims of political weaponization.