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Davao police chief part of drug war
By Nidz Godino
“Development that Lito Patay , one of the implementers, one of the worst recorded violators during war on drugs is now Davao City police chief… is concerning to us,” International Criminal Court (ICC) Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti‘s “man of interest” in previous administration’s drug war is now chief of Davao City Police.
Conti said latest appointment as Davao City’s police chief is homecoming of sorts for Police Col. Lito Patay.
And for victims of previous administration’s so-called war against illegal drugs, this is cause for concern, especially as they expect issuance of arrest warrants against former president Rodrigo Duterte and others who are behind deadly killings.
“I don’t know how it would work in context of possible warrant of arrest against his former principal, Rodrigo Duterte, and even Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa,” she stressed, referring to incumbent senator who was Duterte’s first police chief and implementer of his anti-illegal drug campaign.
Patay is member of so-called “Davao Boys,” group of policemen from former president’s hometown who were brought to Metro Manila to supposedly take part in implementation of drug war.
Earlier report found Batasan Station of Quezon City Police District led by Patay recorded highest number of killings during anti-drug operations conducted in the first year of Duterte.
In May 2022, little over a month before end of Duterte’s term, Malacañang cleared Patay of administrative charge filed in relation to death of minor during police operation in Payatas, Quezon City in 2016.
Patay was appointed Davao city police chief earlier this week following removal of several officers.
Conti, represents victims and families in ICC case, will study their next steps with regard to Patay’s appointment.
“Problem is that this is assignment, not promotion…he was not given higher rank where it is possible to file complaint,” she said.
Still, she raised question as to why he was appointed in Davao.
While Patay was not included in public documents released by ICC, Conti said they have repeatedly mentioned his name in several of their submissions, citing his role in implementation of drug war.
Conti said there is rumor ICC is also asking for more witnesses who can identify who among accused are most responsible.
“ICC is looking at official, mid-level. I don’t know…. if top level… may reach up to Albayalde,” Conti said, referring to former police chief Oscar Albayalde.
Conti said new witnesses being asked by ICC should be those who actually received instruction from the principal accused in implementation of Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
Asked if Patay can qualify as state witness, Conti said: “at this point, not yet…yes, any of alleged perpetrators can become witnesses… ICC called insider witnesses. ..they can be one to say how exactly instruction was conducted…if no one admits, nothing will be known.”
Conti is confident arrest warrants, particular for those who are deemed as “most responsible,” will be released within the year.
But she said they do not expect it to be publicly announced by ICC, given that these issuances are often treated as confidential.
Major problem, she said, is serving and implementing warrant since ICC mainly relies on governments to enforce it. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.recently maintained ICC has no jurisdiction over Philippines, but Duterte’s allies earlier questioned why he refused to put his position in writing.
On reports that ICC prosecutor is asking for more witnesses, Conti has no knowledge of it, but said it could be because they are trying to identify who else are responsible.
She said it is possible that arrests warrants will be issued for some individuals while investigation is ongoing for others.
On their end, she said they are already preparing for trial “because that’s where we will have more material role.”
“We’re waiting for trial and presentation of evidence to prove that these persons are all guilty,” said Conti.
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