Slovenia highlights accountability amid Duterte arrest

Metro Manila, Philippines — Slovenia, a member state of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reiterated its strong support for accountability and commended the Philippines for continuing to uphold international obligations.

"Slovenia is strongly committed to international law, international tribunals, and we are a member of the Rome Statute, the ICC. We are strongly committed to accountability," visiting Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said in an interview with NewsWatch Plus.

"So I just commend any effort of Philippine authorities to respect international obligations," she added.

In a separate interview, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo deferred to the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police on the ICC arrest warrant.

Manalo said he would rather not speculate on whether the Philippine Mission at The Hague would have a role in Duterte’s possible trial.

Duterte was arrested on a warrant issued by the ICC for crimes against humanity linked to his bloody anti-drug campaign, Malacañang said.

Since the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2019, the warrant was coursed through the International Criminal Police Organization, of which the country remains a member.

Duterte, who spearheaded the anti-drug campaign as Davao City mayor before expanding it nationwide as president in 2016, questioned the basis of his arrest.