PHL notifies UN of ICC withdrawal

The Philippine government has formally notified the United Nations (UN) of its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) following a directive from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Philippine Ambassador to the UN Teddy  Locsin Jr. said on Friday he delivered the notice to UN Chef De Cabinet Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, a copy of which was posted by the envoy on his Twitter account.

Letter# of withdrawal. Formally perfect. Delivered to the chef de cabinet. The Secretary General is abroad. pic.twitter.com/orXQpph4bT

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 16, 2018

“The decision to withdraw is the Philippines’ 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,” stated the March 15 letter addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The Philippines also assured that the government “continues to be guided” by the rule of law and respect for 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,” the letter read.

“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.”

Before the Philippines, Burundi, Gambia, and South Africa attempted to withdraw from the ICC. Of them, only Burundi went through with the proceedings and left the tribunal on October 27, 2017.

In withdrawing from the ICC, President Rodrigo Duterte cited “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks” against him and his administration and the alleged attempt of the ICC prosecutor to place him under the tribunal’s jurisdiction amid accusations of state sanctioned killings being linked to his war on drugs.

Duterte also said that the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, is not enforceable in the Philippines because it was not published in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

The President's critics said he can still be held liable for offenses committed while the Philippines was signatory to the ICC as actual withdrawal from the the court comes a year after notification. — KG/RSJ, GMA News