Group urges Marcos, DOJ to submit bombshell drug war testimonies to ICC
Metro Manila, Philippines – A group is urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Justice to turn over the bombshell testimonies about the previous administration’s drug war to the International Criminal Court.
In a press release, Bayan Muna said the statements made by self-confessed drug dealer Kerwin Espinosa and retired police colonel Royina Garma before the House quad panel should not be ignored.
On Friday, Espinosa said former Philippine National Police chief and now Sen. Bato dela Rosa pressured him to implicate then Sen. Leila de Lima in the illegal drug trade - charges she has been cleared of. Dela Rosa denied the allegations.
In the same inquiry, Garma, who used to be an ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, told lawmakers that the previous administration carried out a reward system for killing drug suspects.
“President Marcos Jr. must act decisively to demonstrate that his administration does not enable impunity by protecting those responsible for these heinous crimes…The ICC has been investigating the EJKs since 2017 and is in the best position to go to trial against Duterte and his subordinates,” Neri Colmenares, former Bayan Muna representative said in a press release.
Marcos earlier stood firm in not cooperating with the international tribunal, but has since softened his stance.
Meanwhile, Bayan Muna is also calling on the House quad committee to summon those who were named by Garma to attend the next hearing, including Duterte.
“The families saw some hope due to the investigation being conducted by the QUAD Committee. We hope the chairpersons of the committee will pursue the search for justice to the bitter end,” said Colmenares.
