DOJ, ICC urged to use Duterte statements

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros yesterday urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to use former president Rodrigo Duterte’s statements during the Senate’s drug war hearing to build a case against him.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said it would be disappointing if a foreign entity would beat Philippine prosecutors in using Duterte’s statements, whose transcripts would be made available to the public.

If the transcripts would be used as evidence, it would be certified by the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that Pimentel chairs, he told “Storycon” on One News yesterday.

Asked if the panel would certify the transcripts if requested by the ICC, Pimentel said the matter may need to be discussed at the Senate plenary.

“We will cross the bridge when we get there. There is no request yet. For me, I will be greatly disappointed if the international body will be the first one to make the re[1]quest rather than a Philippine group, group of Filipinos,” Pimentel said.

Hontiveros called Duterte’s admission before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that he has a gangster-led death squad to kill criminals a “bombshell testimony.”

While claiming he did not order the police to kill suspected criminals, Duterte boasted that he prodded them to agitate suspects into fighting back so there would be a reason to kill them.

“I hope the Department of Justice as well as investigators of the International Criminal Court are seriously reviewing the many admissions and confessions made under oath by former president Duterte, such as his creation of a 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 The Hague-based ICC for crimes against humanity because of the 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 which limits the public’s right to freedom of information.

House committee on human rights and Manila Rep. Benny Abante also believes that Duterte’s admission of responsibility for the drug war-related killings could open the 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.”

“The recent admission of the former president of responsibility for all the killings under his controversial war on drugs could open the doors for legal action both domestically and internationally like the ICC,” he noted. Abante added that Duterte, who is a lawyer, is likely aware of the implications of his admission.

He also said Duterte provided sufficient grounds for the DOJ, the Office of the Ombudsman and other relevant authorities to launch an initial investigation, allowing legal proceedings to be taken against him.

Abante maintained the Philippine justice system should act impartially, saying that while Duterte is getting quite old, he still “cannot get away from the responsibility, accountability of his actions.”

Pimentel clarified the investigation of his subcommittee will only cover the investigation on the war against illegal drugs during the presidency of Duterte. — Sheila Crisostomo, Evelyn Macairan, Mayen Jaymalin, Emmanuel Tupas, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jose Rodel Clapano