Panelo rejects ICC probe of Duterte’s drug war, insists tribunal has no jurisdiction over PH

By Prince Golez

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said in response to the decision of the Hague-based court to authorize the investigation into anti-drug war during the Duterte administration.

“Our position concerning the proceedings before the ICC remains. The foreign institution has no — as it never had — jurisdiction over the affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and its people,” Panelo said in a press statement Thursday.

The abogado claimed that the ICC is being utilized as “a political and propaganda apparatus” by the opposition to discredit President Rodrigo Duterte and his government.

“No wonder the leading and powerful countries of the world have either not joined it or have withdrawn their membership therefrom,” according to him.

“While we expect that more theatrics will be employed by the detractors of the President as election season draws near, this blatant and brazen interference and assault on our sovereignty as an independent country by the ICC is condemnable,” he added.

Panelo also maintained that the country’s legal system functions properly, therefore an ICC intervention isn’t necessary.

“We stress that we are able and willing to prosecute those who abuse their power and commit crimes against the citizenry if only genuine complainants come forward to the proper authorities instead of personalities who will use their plight for political ambitions,” the Palace official concluded.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)