Parents of EJK victim feel Philippine courts are 'paralyzed'
MANILA, Philippines — Parents of an alleged extrajudicial killing victim said on Wednesday that they feel like Philippine courts are “paralyzed,” prompting them to seek aid from the International Criminal Tribunal.
Speaking to ANC Early Edition on Wednesday morning, Denisse David—father of John Jezreel—lamented the slow justice system in the country.
David referred to an earlier pronouncement by presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, that the international tribunal will only move when the justice system in a country has been “paralyzed.”
He said in Filipino: “In my view, it seems like it (Philippine justice system) has really been paralyzed so I thought of filing a case—maybe the international (court) can help.”
A new communication and complaint were filed on August 28—the same day that the Philippines' highest court tackled a case assailing the executive branch’s withdrawal of membership from the international tribunal—against President Rodrigo Duterte.
READ: Kin of EJK victims file ICC complaint vs Duterte for crimes against humanity
The case of David's child—21-year-old JJ—is one of the grounds cited in the recent communication filed.
Lawyer Krissy Conti, who stands counsel for the Davids, said that her client’s case “demonstrates that the prosecution is really slow—even with a small fish” such as killers of JJ, a hotel attendant who was last seen alive on Jan. 19, 2017 and was found days later at a morgue.
“We think the prosecution of big fish, of the person who ordered everything, is unable ang PH to prosecute him,” she added.
‘JJ is victim of systemic killing’
Conti said that JJ is a “victim of a systemic and widespread attack.”
“There is a pattern, and there’s only one person liable for that: It’s Duterte,” Conti added.
She also expressed confidence with the information filed as Conti said, the documents include affidavits and police reports, which could stand as evidence in a trial court.
The Davids are joined by other families who said that their beloved have been victims in the Duterte's administration war on drugs. They called on the ICC Office of the Prosecutor to indict Duterte for crimes against humanity and award reparation for the victims and complainants.
In the 50-page complaint, the families claimed that the chief executive has ordered and incited the killings through his statements and official memoranda. The complaint said the police use of the term “neutralize” translates to “kill,” which the complainants believe is an indication that Duterte directly ordered state agents to kill suspected drug personalities.
In April 2017, lawyer Jude Sabio filed the first communication against Duterte for crimes against humanity before the ICC. Opposition lawmakers Sen. Antonio Trillanes and Rep. Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) filed a supplemental one in June 2017.
Last February, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor announced it would conduct a preliminary examination, not an investigation, into Duterte’s war on drugs.
A month later, the Philippines announced that it would be withdrawing from the ICC—a move assailed by opposition senators and the Philippine Coalition for ICC before the Supreme Court. — Kristine Joy Patag
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