Manila, June 26 -- The government will protect witnesses in the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

This was after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that three witnesses are now under government protection following a request from the ICC.

"The government has to protect the people. Whether they are witnesses for the ICC or the general populace, we try to protect the people," Remulla said in an interview with reporters.

He said other individuals may be placed under the witness protection program.

"Basta may coordination lang tayo pag may mga problema, we bridge the gaps. Para lang (So long as there is coordination if ...