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DOJ, ICC urged to use Duterte statements under oath
By Nidz Godino
“We will cross the bridge when we get there… no request yet…for me, I will be greatly disappointed if international body will be first one to request rather than Philippine group, group of Filipinos,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged Department of Justice (DOJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC) to use former president Rodrigo Duterte’s statements during Senate’s drug war hearing to build case against him.
Pimentel said would be disappointing if foreign entity would beat Philippine prosecutors in using Duterte’s statements, whose transcripts would be made available to public.
If transcripts would be used as evidence, it would be certified by Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that Pimentel chairs.
Pimentel said the matter may need to be discussed at Senate plenary.
Hontiveros called Duterte’s admission before Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee he has gangster-led death squad to kill criminals “bombshell testimony.”
While claiming he did not order police to kill suspected criminals, Duterte boasted that he prodded them to agitate suspects into fighting back so there would be reason to kill them.
“I hope Department of Justice as well as investigators of International Criminal Court are seriously reviewing many admissions and confessions made under oath by former president Duterte, such as his creation of death squad in Davao City, his attempt as president to convince police officials to kill certain individuals and his order to police officers to ‘encourage’ suspects to fight back so they could be summarily executed,” Hontiveros said.
While Duterte is not facing any cases in local courts, he is being investigated by Hague-based ICC for crimes against humanity because of summary deaths of low-level drug users and pushers during his administration.
Hontiveros also urged Malacañang to amend Executive Order 2, s. 2016 issued by then president Duterte limits public’s right to freedom of information.
House committee on human rights and Manila Rep. Benny Abante also believes Duterte’s admission of responsibility for drug war-related killings could open floodgates for both local and international prosecution.
According to the lawmaker, Duterte’s owning up to sole responsibility over extrajudicial killings (EJKs) could lead to “intensified scrutiny and potential legal repercussions.”
“Recent admission of the former president of responsibility for all killings under his controversial war on drugs could open doors for legal action both domestically and internationally like ICC,” he noted. Abante added Duterte, a lawyer, is likely aware of implications of his admission.
He also said Duterte provided sufficient grounds for DOJ, Office of the Ombudsman and other relevant authorities to launch initial investigation, allowing legal proceedings to be taken against him.
Abante maintained Philippine justice system should act impartially, saying that while Duterte is getting quite old, he still “cannot get away from responsibility, accountability of his actions.”
Pimentel clarified investigation of his subcommittee will only cover investigation on war against illegal drugs during presidency of Duterte.
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