Diokno urges PH gov’t to rejoin ICC amid China’s aggression in WPS

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel is seen as personnel from the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, and Police Maritime Group conduct a maritime operation at Pag-asa Cay on April 28, 2025. — Photo from the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, together with other lawmakers, has urged the Philippine government to rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC) amid China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Diokno, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, and other members of the WPS bloc issued the call after filing House Resolution No. 192 on Wednesday.

The measure urges the executive department, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), to introduce a resolution before the United Nations General Assembly that calls on China to respect the 2016 Arbitral Award.

READ: West Philippine Sea: DFA eyes UNGA resolution to address China aggression

“It would be a good reason for us to return to the International Criminal Court or the Rome Statute, given the ongoing aggression of the People’s Republic of China,” Diokno said in Filipino after filing the proposed measure.

“Under the ICC, we can file crimes of aggression against another country as long as we are members of the Court. We are also calling on the executive department to bring the Philippines back to the ICC,” he added.

When asked if the WPS bloc plans to file a House resolution, Diokno said similar calls had already been made in the past.

“If we have to, again, we will. If we have to again, let’s do that,” he added.

Beijing’s continued aggression stems from its sweeping claim of sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, including much of the WPS, as it continues to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its claims and upheld Manila’s position./mcm