Protecting witnesses vs Duterte doesn't mean PH is cooperating with ICC - Palace

Malacañang maintained that the Philippine government is not cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), even as the Department of Justice (DOJ) provides assistance to witnesses in the tribunal's ongoing probe into former president Rodrigo Duterte's alleged crimes against humanity.

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

This was underscored by Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro after DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that the ICC has reached out to his agency, and that have agreed to assist in securing witnesses in Duterte's case.

In a press briefing on Friday, June 27, Castro clarified that the support given by the DOJ did not equate to formal cooperation with the ICC.

"Parang sa ating pagkakadinig ay tutulungan ng DOJ ang mga witnesses para makapag-testify, para mabigyan ng hustisya ang dapat na mabigyan ng hustisya (As we understand it, the DOJ is helping witnesses to testify so that justice may be served)," she said.

"Hindi directly makikipagtulungan sa ICC (It is not directly cooperating with the ICC)," she added.