Duterte arrest: Marcos Cabinet officials insist they did not aid ICC

International Criminal Court (L) and former President Rodrigo Duterte (ICC and official Facebook page of Rody Duterte)

MANILA, Philippines — Zero communication. No assistance given.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’ Cabinet members stood their ground on Thursday, maintaining that the administration did not intentionally help the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its bid to arrest former president Rodrigo Duterte.

During a public hearing by the Senate panel on foreign affairs, members of Marcos’ Cabinet—including Justice chief Jesus Crispin Remulla, Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro, and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año—each maintained that the Philippine government provided no assistance to the ICC.

READ: Palace on Duterte’s arrest warrant from ICC: Marcos gov’t ready

“We did not assist the ICC. We never had contact with them, the investigation that they conducted was through their own methods and we did not, in any way, assist them,” said Remulla.

Sen. Imee Marcos, who was presiding over the hearing, proceeded to ask other members of the Cabinet who were also present during the public inquiry.

“The President’s statement is binding and I defer to Secretary Remulla that no government agency, the Department of National Defense, has ever cooperated with the ICC,” Teodoro said.

READ: Marcos told to rejoin ICC as PH marks 6th year of treaty pullout

Similar to what was stated by Remulla and Teodoro, Año maintained that no communication transpired between the Philippine government and the international tribunal.

“We did not assist ICC in their investigation,” said Año.

Their remarks, however, did not sit well with Sen. Marcos who pointed out that all Cabinet members present during the hearing are in agreement that the ICC had no jurisdiction in the Philippines.

In 2018, during the Duterte administration, the Philippine government announced its withdrawal from the ICC, citing concerns over sovereignty and alleged political bias. It took effect in 2019.

The debate over the ICC’s jurisdiction in the Philippines reignited after the international tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Duterte.

The warrant was issued on charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his time in power.