China spokesperson on Duterte arrest: ICC should ‘not follow double standards’

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

China urges the International Criminal Court to 'exercise its functions and powers prudently' following the arrest of Duterte on Tuesday, March 11

MANILA, Philippines – Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday, March 11, the International Criminal Court (ICC) should be prudent in exercising its functions and should not follow “double standards,” when asked to comment on the arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, a friend of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“I would like to reiterate China’s consistent view that the International Criminal Court should strictly follow the principle of complementarity, exercise its functions and powers prudently in accordance with the law and prevent politicization or double standards,” Mao said, as quoted by the Chinese state-controlled English news publication, Global Times. 

The news outlet did not provide other official statements. As of writing, Duterte was being brought to The Hague, Netherlands. He is the first former Asian head of state arrested for crimes against humanity.

Duterte was arrested on Tuesday by Philippine authorities acting on a request by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) based on a warrant issued by the ICC. Duterte is accused of crimes against humanity for his bloody war on drugs that killed at least 6,000 during his administration from 2016 to 2022.

Duterte pulled out the Philippines from the ICC in March 2018, which took effect a year later. The Philippine government has insisted that the ICC has no jurisdiction since its judicial processes are working, even though only a handful of police officers have been convicted in relation to drug war cases.

China’s relations with the Philippines were close during the Duterte administration after the Philippine leader pivoted foreign policy towards China instead of the US, its traditional ally, and other Western nations.

When he was president, Duterte once said the country needed China, saying “I simply love Xi Jinping…he understands my problem and is willing to help.” 

Bilateral relations turned sour, however, under his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who shifted foreign policy back to the US and the country’s Western allies. – Isagani de Castro Jr./Rappler.com