PH gov't not directly cooperating with ICC on drug war witnesses — Palace
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the government would help witnesses.
"Parang sa ating pagkakadinig ay tutulungan ng DOJ (Department of Justice) ang mga witnesses para makapag-testify, para mabigyan ng hustisya ang dapat mabigyan ng hustisya. Hindi directly makikipagtulungan sa ICC," Castro said.
(From what we hear, the DOJ will help the witnesses to testify so that justice will be attained by those who seek it. Not directly cooperate with the ICC.)
"Still, ang tutulungan po natin ay kapwa Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong para mabigyan sila ng hustisya. 'Yan din naman po ang sinasabi ng Commission on Human Rights," she added.
(Still, assistance will be given to our fellow Filipinos who need help so they may achieve justice. This is aligned with the statements of the Commission on Human Rights.)
Pressed if this matter has the go signal of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Castro said, "'Yun po ay, 'yan din naman po ang gusto ng Pangulo, mabigyan ng hustisya ang dapat mabigyan ng hustisya."
(That's also what the President wants, that justice be provided to those who deserve it.)
Remulla earlier said three to four witnesses in the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte before the ICC are currently under government protection.
According to Remulla, more individuals may be placed under witness protection.
Remulla also said cooperating with the tribunal does not contradict with the government's position that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC.
The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in March 2019 during the Duterte administration.
Castro recently said the President was open to having discussions with regard to the Philippines rejoining the ICC. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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