China has expressed its support to the Philippines in its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute.
“China believes that a sovereign country has the right to say no to political manipulation under the cloak of law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said in a news briefing earlier this week.
“The international community should give more understanding and support to those efforts instead of pointing fingers and casting blames,” Lu said.
Earlier this month, the Philippines submitted its letter of withdrawal from the international treaty that established the ICC.
The Philippine government said that the decision to pull out from the international court was a “principled stand against those who politicize and weaponize human rights.”
Despite withdrawing from the ICC, Manila assured the international community that it will remain resolute in upholding human rights.
“The Government remains resolute in effecting its principal responsibility to ensure the long-term safety of the nation in order to promote inclusive national development and secure a decent and dignified life for all,” the Philippines said in its letter of withdrawal.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano maintained that there is no crime or liability linked to the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. (Roy Mabasa)
