‘2nd drug war conviction highlights broken Philippines justice system’

MANILA, Philippines — The recent murder conviction of a former police officer tagged in the 2017 killing of Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman is not proof that the justice system in the Philippines is working, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).

In a statement yesterday, HRW senior Asia researcher Carlos Conde said the conviction of former patrolman Jeffrey Perez is not an argument against the investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the conduct of the war on drugs.

“While we are glad about the court’s decision and happy for the families of victims, this is hardly an argument against an ICC investigation and international accountability. Indeed, this is an argument precisely for such an investigation. Keep in mind that this is just the second murder conviction out of thousands of such cases,” said Conde.

“This, if anything, highlights just how broken the criminal and judicial system in the Philippines is and underscores the need for a thorough and honest-to-goodness investigation and prosecution,” he added.

On Monday, the Navotas Regional Trial Court Branch 287 found Perez guilty of the murders of Arnaiz and De Guzman.

He was sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole.

Last November, a Caloocan court also convicted Perez for torture and planting of evidence.