On 30 August 2011, Philippines accepted the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC) and deposed its instrument of ratification at United Nations in New York. The ICC, born in 1998, is the first permanent international court with the goal of prosecuting individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.

The Statute will enter into force for the Philippines on 1st November, increasing the total number of States that has joined the Rome Statute to 117.

ICC President, Mr. Sang-Hyun Song, visited the Philippines and other South-East Asian Countries in March to facilitate the bargains. “This act is yet another indication of Asia’s growing role in the international community’s efforts to put an end to impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to humanity,” said Mr. Song, speaking in The Hague where the ICC is based.