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Senator Christopher 'Bong' Go has vehemently criticized the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte. In a strongly worded statement released earlier today, Go asserted that the warrant represents an unacceptable intrusion into Philippine sovereignty and a politically motivated attempt to undermine a respected leader.

“This is a clear attack on our sovereignty and a blatant disregard for our laws and judicial system,” Senator Go declared. “The Philippines is a sovereign nation, and we will not allow foreign entities to dictate our internal affairs. Former President Duterte has always acted in the best interests of the Filipino people, and this warrant is a disservice to his legacy and the sacrifices he made for our country.”

The ICC's investigation focuses on alleged extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s “war on drugs.” Go maintains that the Philippine government has its own robust legal processes to address any wrongdoing and that the ICC’s involvement is unnecessary and unwarranted. He emphasized that the Philippine justice system is capable of handling these matters independently.

“We have our own courts and legal processes. We have conducted thorough investigations, and we will continue to do so. The ICC’s intervention is not only unnecessary but also undermines our national pride and our commitment to upholding the rule of law,” Go added. He further stated that the government is prepared to exhaust all legal avenues to defend former President Duterte against these accusations.

The senator also raised concerns about the potential impact of the warrant on the Philippines’ international standing. He believes that the ICC’s actions could damage the country’s reputation and hinder its efforts to forge stronger relationships with other nations.

“We must stand united in defending our leaders and our nation against unwarranted attacks,” Go concluded. “We will not be intimidated by foreign powers, and we will continue to fight for our sovereignty and our right to govern ourselves.” The statement has sparked a wave of support from Duterte loyalists and has further intensified the debate surrounding the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines.

The Philippine government has previously withdrawn from the ICC, citing concerns about its perceived bias and political motivations. The decision, made under Duterte’s administration, has been met with criticism from human rights organizations. However, the ICC maintains its jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed while the Philippines was still a member.

This latest development adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught political landscape in the Philippines. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the warrant and what impact it will have on the upcoming elections and the country’s future.