PH to comply with potential ICC seize order on Duterte assets if 'legal' - Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippine government will comply with a possible seize order on the assets of former President Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it is allowed by law, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Friday.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, former Senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes said a seizure order on Duterte’s assets is part of the tribunal’s proceedings on crimes under its jurisdiction.

"Meron pa nga palang isang kaakibat na order na lalabas siguro, itong order ng ICC ng seizure ng mga ari-arian ni Duterte," Trillanes said in an interview with "The Newsmaker."

[Translation: There is an accompanying order that will likely be issued—the ICC’s order for the seizure of Duterte’s properties.]

In response, Castro said it remains to be seen whether the seizure order can be implemented within legal means.

"Kung meron naman po tayong batas, inaalaw po tayo, ipakita naman po nila, tayo po yung magkukumplay dahil lagi po, sinasabi natin, lahat po ng gagawin natin dito ay dapat lamang base sa batas," Castro said.

[Translation: If we have a law that allows it, and they can show it to us, we will comply because, as we always say, everything we do must be based on the law.]

Under the Rome Statute, the ICC can ask member states to identify, trace, and freeze assets linked to crimes for forfeiture.

Trillanes said it remains unclear how the Marcos administration will respond since the Philippines exited the ICC in March 2019.

"Ang tanong lang dito is kung ano ang magiging approach ng Marcos administration towards that specific order, pero kung may order man sila sa iba't ibang, kung may ari-arian ng mga Duterte sa iba't ibang parte ng mundo," Trillanes said.

[Translation: The question is how will the Marcos administration approach this specific order, if the ICC issues an order and the Dutertes have assets in different parts of the world.]

Duterte was admitted to the ICC detention center in Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands.

He was "surrendered" to ICC custody "in accordance with an arrest warrant issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I for charges of murder as a crime against humanity." The former president is the first Asian leader to stand trial at the ICC.

The ICC probe includes Duterte’s alleged role in extrajudicial killings through the so-called Davao Death Squad, which began during his tenure as Davao City mayor and continued through his early years as president.