DFA official disagrees with letting ICC investigators enter PH

MANILA, Philippines — A foreign affairs official on Tuesday opposed calls to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) to enter the Philippines, noting that the country’s justice system is “working.”

Maria Teresa Torres Almojuela made this statement during the Commission on Appointments’ hearing on her appointment as the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Chief of Mission Class I.

During the hearing, Senator Jinggoy Estrada asked Almojuela whether she would allow the ICC to enter the country and investigate Filipinos.

“No, personally and professionally. The scope of the ICC is only justified if a country’s institutions are weak [and] if there are no processes happening within the country to hear this case that is being brought to them,” said Almojuela.

Estrada said he believes that the country’s justice system is working. He then proceeded to ask Almojuela whether she believed the same.

To this, the foreign official answered yes.

Meanwhile, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel immediately agreed with Almojuela’s statement, saying the Philippines should be careful in rejoining the ICC.

“I agree with the nominee. I think Filipino citizens should be tried by the Filipino courts and that is why the US [and] Russia withdrew from the ICC because the Supreme Court issued an opinion that US citizens should be tried by the US courts,” said Pimentel.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos previously revealed that the Philippine government is studying its possible return under the fold of the ICC.

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