Drug war victim counsel ready to take House testimonies to ICC

Metro Manila, Philippines – The legal counsel for drug war victims under then President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday, Oct. 16, their group is ready to bring key testimonies in a congressional hearing to the International Criminal Court, which is conducting a probe on the country.

In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who is lawyering for drug war victims, said it is unfortunate that Malacañang doesn’t want to cooperate with the tribunal.

Last week, PCol Royina Garma (ret.) told lawmakers of a supposed system at the time that rewarded police officers who killed drug war suspects during Duterte’s presidency. Garma was a longtime police official in Davao before a short stint in Cebu ahead of her retirement in 2019. Duterte appointed her Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager.

READ: Cops killing ‘suspects’ in previous admin’s drug war ‘rewarded’ – ex-Duterte ally

Colmenares said it would be better if the government takes these statements to the ICC.

“Kung gusto ng Pilipinas na sundin ang treaty obligations under the Rome Statute, then it should do so. Otherwise sabihin ng international community na ang hirap niyo naman, pirma kayo treaty tapos nang nalagay kayo sa alanganin ayaw niyo na sundin obligasyon niyo.

[Translation: If the Philippines wants to follow its treaty obligations under the Rome Statute, then it should do so. Otherwise, the international community might say, ‘It’s difficult for you; you signed the treaty, and now that you’re in a tough spot, you don’t want to fulfill your obligations]

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in March 2019. The tribunal’s investigation covers the extrajudicial killings from 2011 to March 2019 under Duterte’s term as Davao City mayor and president.

Meanwhile, Colmenares also slammed former PNP chief and now Sen. Bato dela Rosa who plans to conduct a separate drug war investigation in the Senate. Dela Rosa is the chairperson of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs.

“Hindi pwede na…ang accused mismo or involved mismo ang maglunsad ng imbestigasyon. Mai-intimidate ang witness…That's really absurd,” the ex-lawmaker said.

[Translation: It’s not acceptable for the accused or those involved to initiate the investigation themselves. Witnesses could be intimidated… That’s really absurd]