Philippines Officials Want ICC to Investigate Chinese Premier

Two former Philippines officials have urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping for his 'crimes against humanity' in the South China Sea. The officials say their aim is to improve the lives of Filipino fishermen and Beijing should take it seriously.

Albert del Rosario, former Philippine Foreign Secretary and Conchita Carpio-Morales, former ombudsman filed a complaint before Manila's withdrawal from the ICC took effect. Rosario, in a press conference, said this is not their first encounter with China. "Its our second encounter and we are very serious about winning this encounter as well." He was referring to the Philippines legal challenge against Beijing's territorial claims at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2013. Three years later, in 2016, the Court had ruled in Philippines favour.

Moreover, the Filipino officials have accused Xi and other Chinese officials of turning seven disputed reefs into islands in a massive engineering feat. This has caused extensive environmental damage and blocked fishermen from their fishing grounds. However, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has not been supportive of the officials move. Duterte said China is not a member of the ICC. He added that this will not harm their bilateral relations with Beijing.

China and the Philippines, as well as other countries, have been contesting their claims in the South China Sea with Beijing increasing military deployment which has resulted in close encounters between the China and US naval ships.