Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasizes that the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings against alleged drug war abuses stem from a Filipino-initiated case and should not be viewed as politically motivated.
The Philippine government, through Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, clarified that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is not being wielded as a political tool, highlighting that a Filipino citizen filed the case in 2017 concerning alleged human rights abuses during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. In a recent interview, Castro stated that the ICC functions as a legitimate judicial body and the case was initiated by a fellow Filipino who sought accountability for purported extrajudicial killings. She underscored that the issuance of arrest warrants by ICC signals a need to hold individuals responsible, and dismissed claims that the court’s actions are politically weaponized. Castro also noted the Philippine law allowing surrender of respondents to the ICC. Her remarks followed allegations by Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte claiming that warrants have been issued against Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and retired police officers, which he suggested were politically motivated. Castro urged that accountability and due process are essential, and cautioned against using the issue to sow discord among Filipinos or to question the country’s sovereignty. She deferred operational inquiries regarding arrest warrants to the Department of Justice, reaffirming the government’s position that the ICC case originated from Filipino initiative and not external political manipulation.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/991843/icc-not-a-political-weapon-case-filed-filipino-2017-usec-castro/story/
