MANILA -- Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua described the case filed by two former Philippine government officials against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a “fabrication”.
Zhao said he believed the case filed by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario against Xi would not prosper because it was only “a political action viciously targeting the Chinese leadership”.
“We don't think it is a proper action that is based on fact. It's a fabrication and also a misuse of the mandate of the ICC,” Zhao said in a media interview before his meeting with Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in Malacañang on Monday.
The Chinese envoy, however, said he appreciated the effort of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to clarify that the administration has no participation in the said activity.
“First and foremost, President Duterte and the department concerned has expressed clearly to the Chinese side the Philippine government has no role in it, it is an action by individuals,” Zhao said.
In a statement after his meeting with Zhao, Panelo described their discussion as “productive and fruitful” as both officials agreed on the importance of respect for the sovereignty of nations.
“Ambassador Zhao shares the official position of the Philippines on the possible weaponisation of the ICC as a political tool, in stark contrast to the supposed spirit of the Rome Statute,” Panelo said.
On March 27, Duterte welcomed International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Central Committee Minister Song Tao, together with other Chinese delegates through a courtesy call at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City.
During their meeting, Duterte explained that although it took no part in the filing of case against the Chinese President, he could not stop Morales and del Rosario from filing cases stressing that the Philippines is a democratic country.
They have also discussed matters of mutual interest including the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Earlier, Panelo said while the Palace respected del Rosario and Morales' decision to file a complaint against Xi at the ICC, he believes the case will be “a futile exercise”.
Panelo, who is also Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, pointed out that the case could easily be dismissed because both the Philippines and China are not members of the ICC and has no jurisdiction over both countries.
Moreover, he said Del Rosario and Morales are not authorized to lodge a complaint against China at the ICC on behalf of the Philippines.
Chargé d' Affaires Tan Qingsheng of the Chinese Embassy in Manila said China will just ignore the case filed against Xi as it did not represent the view of the Philippines.
On March 13 this year, Morales and Del Rosario filed a 17-page complaint before ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda insisting Chinese officials be held accountable for crimes against humanity over China's activities in the disputed waters which deprived Filipino fishermen of food and livelihood.
Tan, meanwhile, said the Chinese government has no plans of answering the complaint. (PNA)
