Gov’t prepares briefer in case ICC issues warrant vs Duterte, others

Gov’t prepares briefer in case ICC issues warrant vs Duterte, others

MANILA CITY, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General are preparing a legal briefer so President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can weigh in on several options in case the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues a warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte and several others.

“The Department is now preparing a legal briefer for the President, which will describe to him yung mga options na available sa kanya (the options available to him) in relation to any arrest warrants by the ICC. So, the briefer would be an objective statement or an analysis of the pros and cons of each option,” DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavao IV said in a press briefing.

On Tuesday, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said the ICC may issue an arrest warrant against Duterte by June.

READ: Trillanes: ICC expected to issue arrest warrant vs Duterte by June or July

He said the warrants would be issued in batches, and it could spill over to July.

The Marcos administration maintained that it would not recognize ICC as the country is more than able to prosecute erring individuals, including former government officials.

Trillanes said, the ICC may course through its arrest warrant with the Interpol of which the Philippine government recognizes and is working with.

“Once the ICC warrants of arrest, if ever, are issued, then he will know kung ano yung mga legalities, yung mga options niya, and yung mga remedies din ni president (what are the legalities, options, and remedies available to the president).”

Clavano said part of the briefer is the possible pros and cons of rejoining the Rome Statute.

For now, the briefer will remain confidential, said Clavano.

“It will have to be a policy which comes from the President, which again, is all laid out for him in the briefer,” Clavano said.