MANILA — Malacañang stressed that the Philippines has no role in the United States’ diplomatic campaign against the International Criminal Court (ICC), emphasizing that Washington’s efforts to isolate the tribunal are based solely on American foreign policy and not on any participation by Manila.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the clarification after the United States announced plans to dismantle and diplomatically isolate the ICC, which it considers a threat to American sovereignty.
“Hindi sakop ng ating gobyerno ang polisiya ng bansang US,” Castro said.
The Palace issued the statement amid renewed international attention on the ICC, as former president Rodrigo Duterte remains under the tribunal’s custody while facing charges of crimes against humanity over his administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
The US government has launched a diplomatic campaign to curb the ICC’s influence, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior officials urging countries to support efforts to prevent the tribunal from exercising jurisdiction over American citizens.
US President Donald Trump and other American leaders, including former president George W. Bush, have long maintained that the ICC has no authority to prosecute US nationals.
According to a US State Department official, the campaign aims “to diplomatically isolate the International Criminal Court and ensure it cannot target Americans.”
Despite the ongoing US initiative, Malacañang underscored that the Philippine government is not involved in Washington’s policy toward the ICC and that the American campaign is being pursued independently./PN
