Malaca±ang: On Thursday welcomed remarks from judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warning against the spread of misinformation in the case of former president Rodrigo Duterte, saying the development validates the government's concerns over the proliferation of false narratives surrounding the proceedings.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the ICC's observations showed that concerns over disinformation are not limited to the Philippine government. 'Naging makabuluhan po ang ipinahayag ng ICC dahil nakita po natin na hindi lamang po tayo ang nakakakita at nakakapansin ng pagkalat ng fake news (The ICC judges' observation was significant because we saw that we are not the only ones who see and notice the spread of fake news),' Castro said in a Palace briefing.

She alleged that much of the misinformation related to the ICC proceedings originated from Duterte's camp. 'Karamihan po dito ay talagang nanggaling sa kampo ng mga Duterte lalung-lalo na patungkol dito sa kaso sa ICC (Most of the fake news really came from the Duterte camp, especially regarding the ICC case),' she said.

Castro also said it was appropriate for the ICC to call out former lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman over statements made outside the courtroom. The Palace official maintained that Kaufman's previous statements against the administration were politically motivated.

The remarks came after an ICC status conference where Presiding Judge Joanna Korner raised concerns over the spread of misinformation related to the Duterte case and reminded parties involved to exercise caution in their public statements.