WAR ON DRUGS | Families of drug war victims want ICC to start investigation into bloody killings

June 14, 2021 , 05:34 PM

(June 14, 2021) – Families of victims of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs on Monday urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to begin looking into the killings of thousands as justice remained elusive under the administration.

In a letter sent to the ICC, the victims’ families and the Rise Up for Life and for Rights asked the international tribunal to hold the president accountable as they do not expect the government to investigate the drug-related killings.

The ICC has not completed its preliminary examination of the cases based on complaints by the victims’ families.

“The Philippine government has failed to act in time,” the families said in a letter addressed to outgoing ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and incoming prosecutor Karim Khan.

“Duterte initiated the policy, ordered and encouraged the killings, and promised immunity to the police. Yet inaction by oversight agencies and other branches of government shows that the national system is not effective and cannot address these crimes.”

Bensouda opened a preliminary examination into the drug war in 2018 following reports submitted by human rights groups.

Last December, she said there could be a “reasonable basis to believe” crimes against humanity were committed in the conduct of the brutal and bloody drug war, although they have yet to decide whether or not to push through with the probe. It may be announced this year.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, for his part, told the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in February the police committed lapses in the drug war, pointing out the lack of thorough investigation to prosecute erring cops.

But Guevarra has continued to defend the flagship campaign that catapulted Duterte to power, promising to look into additional cases through cooperation with law enforcement bodies.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has shared 52 cases, while the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency shared 107.

Kristina Conti, one of the lawyers who assisted the families, said the cases shared by the law enforcement agencies were a mere “drop in the bucket” considering the total number of drug war cases at 7,000, based on official government records.

Human rights groups said it was an undercount.

Conti also pointed out the “peculiarity” of the investigation led by the Department of Justice because the findings will ultimately be submitted to the national police force and Duterte.

“Kung may kakasuhan, sila ang magpapasya,” Conti said. “We don’t think that’s the kind of investigation envisioned under the Rome Statute na magte-take out ng ICC [from] the picture. Kaya ano pa man ang kalabasan ng investigation nitong DOJ, it is precisely the kind of investigation [that is] not genuine,” Conti told a press conference.

“Bakit 57 pa lang ang may kaso at bakit 200 pa lang ang iniimbestigahan? Ibig sabihin, [it’s] short of saying na naglolokohan lang tayo o tokenism lang itong investigation o prosecution na sinasabi ng DOJ.”

(Beatrice Puente/MM)

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