ICC official willing to fly to Manila to talk to PH officials

ROQUE SAYS DIALOGUE WITH PH OFFICIALS 'TOO LATE'

The head of the International Criminal Court's management oversight and legislative body says he is willing to fly to the Philippines to engage authorities in a dialogue, amid President Rodrigo Duterte's move to withdraw Manila from the global tribunal.

Speaking on ANC's The World Tonight Monday, O-Gon Kwon, president of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, reiterated his call for Manila to remain an ICC member.

He said the country's withdrawal from ICC would hurt the court's mission to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity.

"One thing I can add is I'm ready to fly to Manila to engage in dialogue with any authorities of the Philippines' government, and have open debate, if feasible and necessary, any time," Kwon said.

According to Kwon, the Philippines' withdrawal from ICC would have a negative impact to the "global efforts to fight impunity."

"I find it regrettable if the Philippines does indeed withdraw from Rome Statute because it will impact negatively on the global efforts to fight impunity for the most serious crimes, to prevent atrocities and bring justice to the victims," he said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, believes it is too late for Kwon to try and talk to Philippine officials.

"Too late the hero. Let him talk to that prosecutor," Roque said in a statement.

When pressed for more details, Roque said he can discuss more about Kwon's pronouncements in his Tuesday press briefing.

Last week, Duterte announced a move towards quitting the ICC, which has launched a preliminary examination of his deadly drug war.

The ICC has started a preliminary examination on the charges filed by lawyer Jude Sabio against Duterte in connection with the administration's campaign against illegal drugs.

Duterte later announced the Philippines' move to withdraw from the ICC.

The ICC last Friday released a statement in response to Duterte's announcement, urging the Philippines not to push through with its plan to withdraw its ratification of the treaty that created the tribunal.