The facade of the ICC building in The Hague. Jofelle P. Tesorio, ABS-CBN News Europe Bureau/File
MANILA — The United States “understands” the Philippines' issues and stakes in the International Criminal Court (ICC), Malacañang said on Thursday following US Secretary of State Marcos Rubio’s visit in Manila.
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez reported that he has spoken to officials from the US State Department about the Trump administration’s rhetoric on dismantling the ICC, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters.
“Siya po ay nakipag-usap sa isang opisyal at sinabing ito ay isang sensitibong bagay at binanggit niya ang residual obligation ng Pilipinas at ang pakikipag-cooperate sa Interpol,” Castro said.
“Nauunawan ang sensitibong bagay na ito sa ating bansa. Alam naman natin ano ang issue ngayon ng Pilipinas sa ICC,” she said.
US President Donald Trump earlier admonished the ICC after the international tribunal imposed an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over widespread human rights violations in the Gaza Strip.
Why the US is going after the International Criminal Court
The Philippines has cooperated with the ICC for the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte as the international court charged the former chief executive with crimes against humanity for the killing of thousands of suspected drug users and peddlers, including minors, during the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Duterte has been detained in the Hague since March 2025, while former police chief and now Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa has a pending arrest warrant for being the chief implementer of the brutal drug campaign.
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