Malacañang announced on Wednesday that the government remains dedicated to securing justice for the families of those killed during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug operations, even as shifting dynamics regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) capture global attention.
The Palace issued this assurance following a U.S. declaration aiming to challenge what Washington views as the ICC’s infringement on American sovereignty.
While Philippine officials are currently analyzing how the U.S. stance might impact the country, they emphasized that domestic accountability and justice remain top priorities.
During a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the government would not abandon the legal cases of Filipinos slain in the war on drugs.
“Since mayroon po kasing pinu-pursue patungkol sa justice para sa atin din mga kababayan na diumano ay naging biktima ng karumal-dumal na pagpatay hindi ito basta-basta mapapabayaan ng ating gobyerno,” Castro said.
Castro added that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently examining these global updates and will consult President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before defining the administration’s official stance.
“Pero still hindi po tayo mangunguna kung ano po ang magiging pronouncement ng Pangulo patungkol dito dahil ang buhay ng bawat tao, ang hustisya para sa atin ay mahalaga,” Castro said.
“So, kung anuman ang kahihinatnan ng kaso sa ICC sa tingin ng Pangulo ay hustisya ang maidudulot nito hindi lang sa diumanong biktima kung hindi rin sa mga masasabi nating respondents o defendants or accused,” she added.
According to Castro, Philippine agencies are looking into how these shifting international dynamics regarding the ICC could impact local legal structures and the execution of domestic policies.
The Palace official also addressed remarks made by Senator Imee Marcos, who recently pushed Malacañang to clarify the level of its ongoing cooperation with the ICC, as well as its strategy for protecting the country from any diplomatic or economic fallout resulting from such cooperation.
Castro questioned the premise of the senator’s inquiry, indicating that Marcos should share any confidential information she might have with the public.
“Anong dapat i-disclose? Mayroon ba siyang alam na dapat i-disclose? Just give us the content/the context on that. Wala kaming alam kung ano iyong gusto niyang i-disclose, so, siya muna siguro ang magbigay ng anumang impormasyon kung mayroon siyang alam na dapat i-disclose at least makakaalam kami kung ano iyon,” Castro said.
On Tuesday, Castro stated that the Philippine government would not comment deeply on the United States’ policies toward the ICC, as it is a foreign matter beyond local control.
Though the Philippines officially exited the Rome Statute in 2019, the ICC contends it maintains authority over alleged abuses committed while the country was a signatory.
The Marcos administration has continually maintained that it does not plan to rejoin the international tribunal, even as the push for accountability in drug war killings persists.