Robredo airs concern over PH withdrawal from ICC

Vice President Leni Robredo. Photo from the Leni Robredo Media Bureau

Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday expressed concern over President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to withdraw the Philippines from the International Criminal Court, citing the possibility of abuse by government officials.

“[I]yong pagiging signatory natin sa ICC, parang safety net natin na kung iyong mga opisyal natin hindi inaaksyunan iyong mga pang-aabuso sa loob [ng bansa], mayroon tayong madudulugan,” she said.

(Being a signatory in the ICC, that’s our safety net when our officials just neglect cases of abuse in the country, we have a venue where we can go to.)

“Delikado ito sa future generations kasi paano kung nagiging mapang-abuso iyong nakaupo? Wala na tayong malalapitan,” Robredo was quoted as saying in an interview with reporters in Camarines Sur.

(This is dangerous for the future generation because what if the current in position is abusive? We have nothing to go to.)

Duterte declared Wednesday that he would withdraw the Philippines’ signature on the international treaty, amid allegations of supposed bias of the international community against his bloody war on drugs. His announcement came after a month that the ICC said it will launch a preliminary probe on his drug campaign.

Robredo said the Philippines has to give a year’s notice for the withdrawal and the backing out of the treaty needs the concurrence of the Senate.

“Parang iyong implikasyon, dahil iimbestigahan, aalis tayo. Marami iyong implications nito. Gusto bang sabihin natatakot tayo sa imbestigasyon? Iyong epekto kasi nito hindi lang sa present na set-up, pero iyong implikasyon nito pati sa mga susunod,” she said.

(The implication is like, being the subject of an investigation, we are withdrawing. There are a lot of implications here. Are we saying we are afraid of the investigation? The effect of this is not only on the present set-up, but also in the future.)

The Vice President also said the withdrawal would also affect the “international perception” toward the country.

“Ano ba iyong implikasyon ng pag-alis natin, pag-withdraw? … Iyong international perception sa ating bansa apektado. Pangalawa, nagiging questionable na iyong commitment natin sa international agreements. Pangatlo, ano ba iyong gustong sabihin nito pagdating sa human rights? Ayaw na ba natin mangako na i-a-uphold natin ito?” she said.

(What is the implication of our leaving, our withdrawal? Our international perception is affected. Secondly, our commitment in the international agreements is being questioned. Thirdly, what does this mean when it comes to human rights? Are we giving up the promise to uphold this?) /jpv

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