MANILA: (Bernama-PNA) Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is open to discussions on the country possibly rejoining the International Criminal Court (ICC), a Palace official said Thursday (June 19), the Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported.
This comes amid renewed international calls for accountability over past human rights violations.
The suggestion was raised in a report to the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which runs from June to July.
UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan urged the Philippines to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and to restore its membership in the ICC’s Rome Statute.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the recommendation was a "good suggestion” and confirmed that President Marcos would study it carefully.
"She suggested we consider rejoining the ICC and ratifying other international human rights laws.
"The President is open to the idea. The last time we discussed this, he made it clear he is willing to look into it,” Castro said during a press briefing at Malacanang.
The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in March 2019 under former president Rodrigo Duterte. The move followed the court’s decision to investigate alleged abuses linked to his anti-narcotics campaign.
Despite the withdrawal, the ICC maintains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member.
Duterte is currently detained at the ICC headquarters in The Hague. He is awaiting trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
Castro also said the Marcos administration’s efforts to strengthen human rights are gaining recognition abroad.
"We are pleased that the President’s initiatives are being acknowledged internationally,” she said.
"These include measures to address enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings that occurred under the previous administration.” - Bernama-PNA
