Although the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the war on drugs, it is not seen as an obstacle by those who are promoting the case.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had earlier said that the ICC could not expect cooperation from the Philippines in its preview of the administration’s war on drugs.
Duterte also downplayed the evidence obtained by the ICC because they are only media reports that can be considered hearsay, said Roque.
But the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) denied that their complaints were based on rumors.
According to NUPL Secretary General Edre Olalia, they ensured there was enough evidence to stand the case.
He also said they would not dare to help the victims if they thought the testimonies were pointless.
He said the victims submitted seven sworn statements to the ICC, in addition to the statements of eyewitnesses.
NUPL: Complaint filed with ICC with basis, sufficient evidence
However, NUPL admitted that the security of their witnesses and lawyers themselves is a big problem, but they have international partners who are helping.
Lawyer Antonio La Viña also insisted that the basis of the case was not hearsay.
He said La Viña would not be surprised if there are those in the ICC’s witness protection program.
“Naniniwala ako marami na sila witnesses, marami na silang dokumento,” said Viña.
Now that the ICC prosecutor has a request for an investigation into the war on drugs, all the ICC’s pre-trial chamber will do is say whether the investigation will be allowed or not.
For former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, what the administration is doing now is to tarnish the credibility of the ICC to the public.
But the ICC will not ignore this because it has a mandate to prosecute those who commit crimes under the Rome Statute, Trillanes said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) insisted that it is open to investigation if the ICC pursues it.
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