Duterte distances self from ICC complaint vs Xi in meet with Chinese official

MANILA, Philippines — The Duterte administration has distanced itself from the complaint against Chinese President Xi Jinping filed before the International Criminal Court by two former officials over China's aggressive actions in the South China Sea. 

President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned the complaint filed by former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales during his meeting with Communist Party of China's International Department Minister Song Tao on Wednesday in Davao City. 

"President Duterte also clarified the case filed by former ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the ICC, noting that the administration had no participation in such activity," a Palace statement released Thursday read. 

READ: ICC correspondence vs China's Xi: What happens next?

But Duterte, who has been accused of being too soft on the South China Sea row and cozying up too much to China, noted that the Philippines is a democratic country and everyone is free to file cases. 

"We cannot stop people from just filing cases," Duterte was quoted by the statement as saying.

READ: Duterte positive Philippines-China ties will be unaffected by ICC complaint

Earlier this month, Del Rosario and Carpio-Morales urged ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to start a preliminary examination on what they described as China's "crimes" in the South China Sea.

The former officials said China took a more "assertive posture" in the region, ramped up its intimidation of Filipino fishermen and built military installations on contested islands. 

According to the communication filed by Del Rosario and Carpio-Morales, China's actions have deprived food and livelihood among Filipino nationals and caused massive illegal reclamation and artificial island building, illegal fishing and harvesting of endangered species in the South China Sea.

The two former officials cited developments that they claimed were in line with China's "widespread and systematic plan to control the South China Sea" including its occupation of the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef in 1995 and Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in 2012.

READ: ICC submission of Del Rosario, Morales vs Xi may be 'futile' — Palace

They noted that Chinese officials continued to implement the plan even if an international tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's nine-dash claim is violative of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

China's "unlawful" acts "have caused devastating and long-lasting damage to the marine environment in the South China Sea to the severe prejudice of the inhabitants of the Philippines and other coastal states, the former officials added. 

'China ready to help Philippines'

Duterte and Song also discussed issues that would further strengthen the relationship between Manila and Beijing, according to the Palace statement.

The Philippine leader thanked the Chinese government for the "vibrant trade relationship” between the two countries. He also cited what he described as "relentless support" of the Chinese government to his administration's "Build Build Build" infrastructure program. 

Song assured Duterte that China is ready to assist the Philippines in its effort to improve the lives of its citizens. 

“If there (is) a need of assistance in improving the people's lives, China is willing to help,” the Palace statement quoted Song as saying.

Song said the Chinese government is also looking forward to welcoming Duterte to China next month. The president is expected to attend the second Belt and Road forum in China in April. 

READ: Thousands sign petition backing ICC case vs Xi Jinping

Song was accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua, Chinese Consul General to Davao Li Lin and other officials of the International Department of the Communist Party of China.

Also present during the courtesy call were energy secretary Alfonso Cusi, foreign affairs acting secretary Ernesto Abella, and foreign affairs officials Norman Garibay, Josel Ignacio, and Emilio Lopue Jr.