PH submits ICC withdrawal to UN

Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr., in a Twitter post, said that he delivered the notice to UN Chef De Cabinet Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti as the Secretary-General went overseas. (Photo: Teddy Locsin Jr./Twitter)

Following an order from President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippine government submitted its letter of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to United Nations (UN) on Friday, March 16.

Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Teodoro Locsin Jr., in a Twitter post, said that he delivered the notice to UN Chef De Cabinet Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti as the Secretary-General went overseas.

“It is my duty to give you this. A sad day but a day sure to come because human rights has been politicized. We resisted US pressure not to join until we finally signed on only to have it weaponized against our democracy fighting an existential threat from the drug trade,” Locsin wrote.

In its letter dated March 15, the Philippines decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute, a treaty that created the ICC, was the country’s “principled stand against those who politicize and weaponize human rights, even as its independent and well-functioning organs and agencies continue to exercise jurisdiction over complaints, issues, problems and concerns arising from its efforts to protect its people.”

The Philippines assured that the government “continues to be guided” by the rule of law embodied in its Constitution that also enshrines the country’s “long-standing tradition of upholding human rights.”

“The Government affirms its commitment to fight against impunity for atrocity crimes, notwithstanding its withdrawal from the Rome Statute, especially since the Philippines has a national legislation punishing atrocity crimes,” it said.

“The Government remains resolute in effecting its principal responsibility to ensure the long-term safety of the nation in order to promote inclusive national development and secure a decent and dignified life for all,” it added.

This letter was delivered days after the President announced his decision to withdraw the Philippines from the ICC because of “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks” against him by UN officials and the alleged attempt of an ICC prosecutor to place him under its jurisdiction.

Duterte also cited that it was the “politicized” nature of the ICC that prompted him to pull out the country’s signature from the Rome Statute and that the said treaty is not enforceable and effective to the Philippines as it was not published in the Official Gazette or on a newspaper of general circulation.

Before the entire Filipino nation withdraws, Burundi, Gambia, and South Africa attempted to pull themselves out of the ICC. Only Burundi underwent the proceedings and became the first country to leave the international body in October 2017.