International Criminal Court targeted by US campaign as Philippines says it cannot intervene

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has launched a broad campaign to pressure countries to withdraw from and cut financial support to the International Criminal Court (ICC), labeling the tribunal a threat to U.S. sovereignty. Human Rights Watch former executive director Kenneth Roth rebutted Rubio’s claims, noting that the ICC’s jurisdiction is limited to crimes committed in states that have ratified the Rome Statute and does not extend to the United States.

The Philippine government confirmed that the U.S. campaign is beyond its control and said Manila will not intervene. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 but maintains residual obligations related to alleged crimes committed by former President Rodrigo Duterte and other officials while the ICC still had jurisdiction. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Duterte and former police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, both of whom remain at large.

Manila emphasized that any future ICC warrants would be enforced promptly in accordance with domestic court decisions, even as the United States seeks to isolate the Hague‑based court.