Commission on Human Rights urges government to cooperate at ICC investigation into the bloody war on drugs

[ASEAN NOW News]

The Commission on Human Rights, along with opposition lawmakers and various human rights organizations, urged the government to cooperate with the upcoming ICC investigation into the bloody war on drugs.

 

This file photo shows a relative of a drug war victim during a mass held in Mendiola, Manila last Oct. 30, 2019. Photo by Edd Gumban, The Philippine STAR

 

Human rights groups and opposition lawmakers welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation into President Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, urging his administration to cooperate with investigators.

 

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman Chito Gascon said they view the decision “as a critical step towards truth and justice in this country that may help lead to ending impunity should these eventually materialize to charges, trial and convictions.”

 

“While CHR has been conducting its own investigations on similar incidences, these are undertaken in the purview of our mandate under the 1987 Constitution and relevant laws with the hope and view that violators are held to account within our justice system,” said Gascon.

 

“In this sense, it can be viewed as a case of concurrence of jurisdiction,” he added.

 

Gascon said the CHR is ready to assist the ICC prosecutor should it communicate with specific requests for help or information.

 

He also urged the government, particularly law enforcement agencies, to provide the ICC with all the necessary assistance and information that they might request regarding the matter.

 

In a 41-page decision released Wednesday night, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I granted the request of the ICC prosecutor to commence a probe on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

 

President to face investigation

 

Reacting to the announcement, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said President Duterte must face the investigation of the ICC.

“It is time for the President to face this investigation. He should no longer block the officials of the ICC from carrying out their duties,” Hontiveros said.

 

“The Palace itself prolongs this process,” she said. “What else does he need to think about? Does he lack confidence in his own explanation? What is he afraid of?” she said referring to Duterte.

 

“Sometimes the President must follow his own words: if nothing is hidden, why be afraid?”

 

According to onenews.ph, Hontiveros said she is confident the ICC will perform its mandate to convict the masterminds and architects of serious crimes.

 

‘Very glad heart’

 

In a statement from detention, Sen. Leila de Lima welcomed “with a very glad heart” the coming probe on the “mayor” and “Bato,” referring to Duterte and former national police chief and now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa by their aliases.

 

“I intentionally mention the aliases of Duterte and now Senator dela Rosa to emphasize the point that soon, like any ordinary criminal or fugitive from justice, they will also be known by their aliases, apart from their given names, like in any ‘Wanted’ poster proclaiming that they are being hunted by the ICC in The Hague to answer for mass murder as a crime against humanity,” De Lima said.

 

She said that while the decision of the ICC did not include issuance of warrants of arrest, it would only be a matter of time before Duterte, and his cohorts would be made to face justice.

 

“Duterte reminds me of the dictator who refuses to acknowledge the existence of an international community of nations that chose to live within contemporary standards of human rights and civilized polity,” she noted.

She said the President “denied the existence of this community outside of his own canine notion of territoriality that where he is dictator, no law can apply to him, and no harm can fall upon him.”

 

“He actually believes that he is above the law, even international law, hence, his denial of any form of accountability for his criminal actions,” she said.

Detained Sen. Leila De Lima flashes her hand signal while exiting the Muntinlupa Hall of Justice following a hearing last Feb. 23, 2021. Photo by Mong Pintolo, The Philippine STAR

 

“But now, as he is abandoned by his erstwhile allies in the Senate investigation on the Pharmally scandal, the ICC decision to specifically investigate him for crimes against humanity is the proverbial hangman’s noose closing around the neck of the sociopathic serial killer,” she pointed out.

 

“Duterte is now alone. Well, probably in the same boat with him is Senator Bato, unless the latter chooses to testify for the prosecution in exchange for immunity. This will be wise for Senator Bato as he is the only other name specifically mentioned by the ICC, apart from Duterte, as the subject of its investigation,” De Lima said.

 

“Sen. Bato can therefore choose to make himself valuable to the prosecutors in The Hague, before others do, or go down with Duterte. Unlike Duterte, Sen. Bato still has a long life ahead of him, and therefore might not be gifted with an early death to stave off arrest and prosecution by the ICC,” said De Lima.

 

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman called the ICC development a significant step toward serving justice to victims of the bloody drug war.

 

“We call on witnesses to testify in the ICC investigation and demand justice for the merciless killing of their loved ones. We also call on whistle-blowers in the Duterte administration to also testify in the ICC investigation and clear your conscience,” Zarate said.

 

“Thousands of people were killed under President Duterte in front of many witnesses, and we are confident that there will be witnesses who can testify,” he pointed out.

 

Lagman said justice is on the horizon for the victims and their families.

 

“The adage that ‘crime does not pay’ may finally catch up with President Rodrigo Duterte… Duterte’s centerpiece program of eliminating the drug menace has degenerated into a killing field of drug suspects who invariably come from the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors,” he said in a separate statement.

 

“No less than the government’s count admits that about 7,000 had been killed in the bloody campaign against narcotics, while local and international human rights organizations record close to 30,000 victims of related extrajudicial killings,” Lagman added.

 

This file photo shows images of some drug war victims laid out at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Dec. 15, 2019. Photo by Edd Gumban, The Philippine STAR

 

Gravity of crimes

 

Human rights group In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity (iDEFEND) said the ICC decision “removes all doubt as to the gravity of the crimes committed by President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.”

 

“Duterte along with his co-accused henchmen of the war on drugs will be facing justice, and the relatives of victims of extrajudicial killings and other atrocious human rights violations would have a real chance of regaining their dignity,” it said.

 

“At this point it is in the best interest of the government to fully cooperate with the ICC, to avoid any perception that it is shielding a criminal from international justice,” it added.

 

Carlos Conde, senior Philippines researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the decision offers a “much-needed check” on the government’s deadly campaign against illegal drugs.

 

“Victims’ families and survivors have reason to hope that those responsible for crimes against humanity could finally face justice,” he added.

 

Human rights group Karapatan also welcomed the decision, noting that the chamber saw the anti-drug campaign as an attack against civilian population.

 

“The Chamber’s view that these attacks were widespread and systematic likewise reaffirms the views of victims and their families. Duterte and his cohorts should be made accountable for these crimes,” Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay said.

 

For Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary-general Renato Reyes, the ICC move was a historic moment. “This is an important step towards justice and accountability. We join the people in the call #DutertePanagutin!”