MOSCOW, Russia (The Adobo Chronicles, Singapore Bureau) – Just hours after news that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin, the Russian President sent a congratulatory message to former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte!

“Congratulations, my friend. We’re now on the same boat,” Putin told Duterte who is being investigated by ICC for alleged crimes against humanity for his war on drugs while being president. (Putin is being charged for alleged war crimes in connection with the Ukraine conflict.)

“Welcome to the club,” Duterte replied is a text message to the Kremlin.

Both Russia and the Philippines are not part of the Rome Statute which established the ICCC. Russia is not a signatory of the Statute while the Philippines withdrew its membership in 2019.

It wasn’t clear how the arrest warrant for Putin will be enforced, as that of Duterte if a similar order is issued by ICC. ICC members are not welcome in both countries and may even face arrest if they violate the countries’ immigration laws.