Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping have sparked debate over potential motives. According to former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Duterte may be seeking refuge in China due to the looming warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Carpio pointed out that the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute and the ICC’s decision to deny the country’s appeal have left Duterte vulnerable. He stated that other countries can extradite Duterte if he travels to them.
However, Carpio also accused China of trying to drive a wedge among Filipinos by getting Duterte to say that the Philippines should stick with China.
Duterte’s legal counsel, Atty. Harry Roque, dismissed Carpio’s remarks as ‘nonsense’, stating that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC and has declared it would not cooperate with the tribunal.
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