Group warns vs. impact of DOJ probe to ICC investigation

A human rights and public interest advocacy group has warned that the Department of Justice's (DOJ) investigation of the Duterte administration's anti-drug war could have an impact on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) probe.

In Saleema Refram’s Thursday report on "24 Oras," the Task Force EJK is working with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police in gathering and analyzing pieces of evidence.

The task force is also coordinating with the House QuadComm, Senate committees, and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to acquire the results of their investigation.

“Para malaman natin kung ano man ang pwedeng masundan, kung ano man yung pwedeng isampa at kung ano yung pagka may mga kasong pwede nang or ripe na ba yan ay pwede nang isampa sa preliminary investigation before the prosecution service ng Department of Justice,” said Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez.

(So that we will know what to do next and what charges we can file, if it is ripe, in the preliminary investigation before the prosecution service of the Department of Justice.)

According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, former President Rodrigo Duterte may face charges for violating RA 9851 or the International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

Meanwhile, the CHR said three crimes under RA 9851 and other crimes against humanity may be used against the people behind the drug war. However, this is not enough to hold them accountable.

According to human rights and public interest advocacy group Center for International Law (Centerlaw), this will be the first complaint filed under RA 9851 in the country.

Centerlaw said the local investigation of Duterte’s war on drugs in relation to crimes against humanity has an implication to the investigation of ICC of the same case.

“For the period na member tayo ng ICC, magkakaroon ng overlap, magkakaroon ng duplication. And ang mangyayari niyan, if there's really going to be a genuine prosecution domestically, there's a possibility na i-suspend ng ICC yung kanilang ongoing investigation,” said Atty. Joel Butuyan, Centerlaw chairperson.

(For the period that we are a member of ISS, there will be an overlap and duplication. What will happen, if there's really going to be a genuine prosecution domestically, there's a possibility that ICC will suspend its ongoing investigation.)

To avoid this, the government may avoid the dates of the ICC’s investigation, as it can also investigate the police officers who implemented the anti-drug war.

“So the ball is in the court of the Marcos administration. You are being mocked by the former president. Sinabi niya mismo, antagal-tagal nga itong DOJ, wala pa akong kaso. Parang talagang dini-dare niya yung DOJ. So, I think the DOJ should take on the dare and investigate and file the proper cases,” Butuyan said.

(So the ball is in the court of the Marcos administration. You are being mocked by the former president. He said so himself that DOJ has been around for a long time and he still doesn't have a case. It looks like he's really daring the DOJ.  So, I think the DOJ should take on the dare and investigate and file the proper cases.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News