Malacañang on Wednesday rejected allegations that the Marcos administration is weaponizing the International Criminal Court (ICC) against political opponents, following claims raised by Davao Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
Presidential Communications Office Press Officer Claire Castro said the ICC case stems from a complaint filed in 2017 by Filipino petitioners over alleged abuses and extrajudicial killings, and is not driven by the current administration.
“Pilipino rin po ang nagsampa ng kaso… kung magkakaroon man ng valid arrest warrant, ito ay valid at may layuning panagutin ang dapat managot,” Castro said in an interview in Russia.
She questioned accusations against the government, stressing that the case predates the Marcos administration. “Bakit ba lagi nating sinisisi ang korte? … Nasampa ito noong 2017 pa, kaya hindi ito wine-weaponize,” she added.
Duterte had earlier claimed the ICC is being used against opposition figures after reports of a possible arrest warrant involving Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and two former police officials in connection with the drug war during the previous administration.