Private citizens of the Philippines are free to express their “righteous indignation” against China for its construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea and to bring the case before the International Criminal Court (ICC), Malacañang said yesterday.

Despite calls to review the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States, there have been no requests from either side to do so.

Candidates from an opposition coalition have expressed support of former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales for filing a communication before the International Criminal Court.

Middle powers have an interest in preserving the international order.

Chinese officials led by President Xi Jinping are being accused of committing crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court over Beijing’s dredging activities in the South China Sea.