MANILA — The United States has expressed understanding of the Philippines’ position on the International Criminal Court (ICC), Malacañang said Thursday, even as Washington under President Donald Trump pursues efforts to dismantle the international tribunal.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not discuss the ICC during their meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday.
Castro explained that the issue was instead taken up separately by Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez during his discussions with officials of the US State Department.
She said Romualdez emphasized that the ICC matter remains highly sensitive for the Philippines because of its remaining obligations under international law and its continuing coordination with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
After hearing the Philippine government’s explanation, US officials reportedly acknowledged and understood Manila’s position.
“They said they understand that this is a sensitive issue for the Philippines,” Castro said.
The Philippines exited the Rome Statute in 2019 under the Duterte administration following the ICC’s preliminary examination of the government’s anti-drug campaign.
Despite that withdrawal, the ICC has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over alleged offenses committed while the country was still a member of the treaty between Nov. 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019.
The tribunal is investigating allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the anti-drug campaign implemented during Rodrigo Duterte’s time as Davao City mayor and later as president.
Following an ICC arrest warrant, Duterte was apprehended through Interpol in March last year and transferred to The Hague to face charges before the international court.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police chief who directed the nationwide anti-drug drive, has also been named by ICC prosecutors as a person under investigation and remains in hiding.
The Marcos administration has repeatedly stated that although the Philippines has withdrawn from the ICC, it continues to honor its residual international obligations and cooperate with Interpol on requests related to ICC proceedings.
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