ICC case vs Xi won’t affect PH-China ties – Duterte

Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2019 13:45:17 +0000

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed confidence that the good relations between the Philippines and China would remain intact despite the filing of a complaint against Chinese President Xi Jinping by former Philippine government officials.

“I’m sure it won’t [affect our ties]. The Philippines is a democratic country and anybody can bring a suit against anybody. But whether or not it would prosper, or whether or not we have the jurisdiction, that’s something else,” Duterte said

Former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario and former ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales filed a “communication” before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 15, accusing Xi and other Chinese officials of committing “atrociously inhumane actions in the South China Sea and within Philippine territory.”

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Army’s anniversary celebration in Taguig City, Duterte said he welcomed the filing of the case.

“I think we’ll just have also to defend our position. If they think they have a good case, and I would say that there is no jurisdiction over this country and of China.  We will just go along that line,” he said.

The President said the ICC has no jurisdiction over China. CATHERINE S. VALENTE

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