FILE PHOTO: Former President Rodrigo Duterte (left), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (center), and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (right). PHOTOS FROM SENATE PRIB/FACEBOOK PAGES
MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to continue its Philippine “drug war” probe, and former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa have been offered this piece of advice: Avoid European countries for now.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said keeping away from countries “where the ICC may be able to influence the judicial system” will be best for the respondents in the crimes against humanity complaint before the international tribunal.
“We will offer advice not to travel to countries where the ICC may be able to influence the judicial system,” Remulla said during a press briefing, referring to Duterte and dela Rosa.
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“‘Wag kayo pupunta sa lugar na maaaring makialam ang ICC. Sa Pilipinas, hindi talaga sila pwede makialam dito. Sa ibang bansa, kung tingin natin may pagaalangan, mag-usap muna kami, kung aalis na at maaring magkaroon ng problema. Kasi they’re citizens of the republic who also need our protection, so we have to tell them, advice about it,” he further explained.
(Don’t go to a place where the ICC can intervene. In the Philippines, they can’t really interfere here. In other countries, if we think there is a concern, we talk first if about to leave, and there may be a problem. Because they’re citizens of the republic who also need our protection, we have to give them advice about it.)
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When asked which countries the respondents should avoid, Remulla replied: “Siguro sa (Perhaps in) European countries.”
On Tuesday, July 18, the ICC decided to deny the Philippines’ appeal against its investigation of the bloody war on drugs which started during the term of ex-President Duterte. Duterte appointed Dela Rosa as chief of the Philippine National Police and among the principal implementers of “Oplan Tokhang,” the main anti-drug campaign of the previous administration.
During the press conference on Wednesday, Remulla expressed his opposition to the ICC ruling and even reminded the international tribunal that the Philippines has a working legal system.
READ: DOJ chief Remulla to ICC: Keep off PH territory or it will be a mess
“Ang ICC kailangan ng mga bansa tulad ng Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, at ibang parte ng Afghanistan – sa mga lugar na magulo at walang gobyerno. Doon sila pumasok. Tayong organisado ang ating gobyerno na may sistema ang hustisya, ‘wag na tayo pakialaman,” said Remulla.
(Chaotic countries with no government, such as Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, and other portions of Afghanistan, need the ICC. They need to step in there. Ours is a well-organized government with a fair justice system; we won’t tolerate any interference.)
He even accused the ICC of trying to “colonize” the Philippines by interfering with its justice system.