MANILA – The government will protect witnesses in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against former president Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that three witnesses are currently under government protection following a request from the ICC. He said others may also be placed under the witness protection program.

“The government has to protect the people. Whether they are witnesses for the ICC or the general populace, we try to protect the people,” Remulla said.

“Basta may coordination lang tayo pag may mga problema, we bridge the gaps. Para lang to make sure that the witnesses are fine and they’re functioning properly. At least, nali-lessen ang threats sa buhay nila,” he added.

Remulla said this development does not indicate a change in the government’s position that the Philippines is no longer an ICC member. The country withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 during Duterte’s administration.

He said the government allowed the ICC to continue its investigation since the alleged crimes occurred before the withdrawal.

“We want to help everybody. Yung problema nga dito yung how to prove the cases kasi nga police report pa lang wala na – wala kang scene of the crime, wala kang ballistics, wala kang DNA. We have to recreate, do a case buildup again,” Remulla said.

“It’s not very easy kaya nga umabot sa ICC ito eh kasi dito binura na lahat ng pwedeng burahin para di matuloy ang mga kaso. Kaya nga mabuti ang ICC, nakakuha pa sila ng mga testigo na magpapatunay sa kaso na finile,” he added.

When asked if this cooperation signals a possible return to the ICC, Remulla said the matter would have to be decided collectively.

“It’s another decision that we will have to make as a country. It (cooperation) does not mean that (rejoining). But it just means that we recognize the ICC in charge of the case,” he said. (PNA)