No law bars PH government from coordinating with ICC, says DOJ

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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is not prohibited from coordinating with the International Criminal Court despite the country no longer a party to the Rome Statute, the Department of Justice said. 

In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, March 3, DOJ Spokesperson Polo Martinez said that although the question of cooperation with the ICC is still pending with the Supreme Court, no law prevents the country from coordinating with the international tribunal. 

“Understandably, as we know, we've withdrawn from the Rome Statute. That is clear. But there is no legal prohibition under our laws that says that you cannot coordinate with any international agency, tribunal, and that doing so would be a violation,” Martinez said. 

Martinez issued the remark in response to a question concerning former Justice Secretary and now Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who admitted days ago to the conduct of a meeting with ICC officials.

Remulla’s admission comes in the wake of allegations from former Philippine Marine personnel, who claimed that he held meetings with the ICC while serving as the justice secretary.

RELATED: ‘To protect witnesses’: Ombudsman Remulla admits meeting with ICC officials

Remulla said that on March 2, he met with ICC officials alongside former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to discuss the protection of witnesses in the trial of crimes against humanity of murder against detained former President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Asked if the DOJ is still protecting potential ICC witnesses as Remulla once promised, Martinez noted that it has yet to be clear, as the administration in the justice department has changed.

“Again, the policy directive is not yet clear as to what that is,” he said.