Escudero: ICC complaint vs Xi may have no jurisdiction 

Senator Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The complaint filed against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court (ICC) may have no jurisdiction because China is not a member of ICC, Senator Francis Escudero said Saturday.

“Base sa mga nagdaang position ng ICC, lalo na sa mga bansang ‘di kasapi nito, Malabo pang ma-enforce ang juridiction na yan,” the senator said over DWIZ.

This was after former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales issued a complaint on behalf of the Filipino fishermen who were “persecuted and injured’’ by China’s occupation of islands in the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Ex-DFA chief Del Rosario, Morales sue China’s Xi at ICC

Escudero, who is also a lawyer, said if the complaint would be enforced, there is no police or military forces that will enforce the orders of the court.

“Particular sa international, walang sundalo, armed forces o kapulisan na magpatupad ng kautusan ng international court,” Escudero said.

The senator also asserted that the complaint will not take effect if China would not comply with it.

“’Yang bumabagabag sa isip ko ano ang silbi ng mga treaty kung ayaw naman sumunod ng bansa? Kung makapangyarihan naman ang bansa na ayaw sumunod. Ang mangyayari diyan sa totoo lang, wala,” he said.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said the complaint could be a futile exercise because the international court has no jurisdiction over China.

READ: Palace on ICC complaint vs Xi: It may be a futile exercise

“The filing of the complaint may be a futile exercise. The ICC has no jurisdiction over China,” Panelo said in a statement. /jpv