Imee wants probe into unwarranted presence of foreign groups in PH

Sen. Imee Marcos during one of the public hearings of the Senate committee on national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation. Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos has filed a resolution directing the appropriate Senate panel to investigate the “unwarranted presence” of intergovernmental organizations that “pose threat” to Philippine independence.

In her proposed Senate Resolution No. 927, Marcos particularly mentioned the International Criminal Court and the United Nations (UN).

Marcos emphasized that the Philippines, in 2018, has already submitted a notice of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“On February 8, 2018, the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC announced that it will be opening the preliminary examination in the Philippines. The examination covered the crimes allegedly committed by the State since July 1, 2016 during the conduct of the government’s War on Drugs campaign. Particularly, the ICC prosecutor examined cases of alleged extrajudicial executions committed during the anti-drug operations by the police,” said Marcos.

“Despite the country’s withdrawal, the ICC still continued its investigation into the alleged crimes, even rejecting in July 2023 the country’s appeal to cease the investigation,” she added.

Marcos’ resolution was filed following reports that  ICC investigations on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-drug campaign have already begun.

In the same resolution, Marcos detailed UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan’s recent visit to the Philippines.

“UN Special Rapporteur Khan conducted an official 10-day visit to the Philippines from 23 January to 02 February 2024 regarding the freedom of expression and opinion in the Philippines. During a press briefing, Khan recommended the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac),” said Marcos.

“According to Khan, the foundations of NTF-Elcac’s creation, through then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70, had changed already. The NTF-Elcac had not taken into consideration the peace negotiations sought by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines,” she added.

Marcos, meanwhile, labelled UN and ICC representatives’ aforementioned actions as “an impolite intrusion” against independence, sovereignty, and prerogative of the Philippines to implement programs that address the peace and order situation of the country.

It then prompted her to file the resolution, adding that these acts are “counterproductive” to the country’s staunch fight against terrorism, illegal drugs, and crimes among others.