Groups submit report on human rights violations to DOJ

In commemoration of International Human Rights Day, various groups on Tuesday submitted a report containing alleged human rights violations under the Duterte administration to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

According to Makabayan president Liza Maza, the report includes former President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged human rights violations and violations to the International Humanitarian Law.  

The report was titled “Impunity and State Terror: Final Compendium Report of the Independent International Criminal Investigation into Human Rights Violations in the Philippines.”

“Kami po ay umaasa rin na ito, dahil nai-submit din ito sa ICC, ay magagamit ang mga datos at mga testimonya na nakasaad dito. Nang sa ganon ay lalo pang mas maging malaman ang kaso na isinampa sa ICC,” she said in an ambush interview.

(We hope that this report, which was also submitted to the ICC, that the data and testimonies in this report will be used. So that the case before the ICC will be stronger.)

“At umaasa kami na sana ay kagyat na maaresto na si dating presidente Duterte at managot siya sa kanyang krimen laban sa mamamayan,” she added.

(We also hope that former President Duterte will be arrested and charged for his crimes.)

GMA News Online has reached out to Salvador Panelo, Duterte's former spokesperson and presidential chief legal counsel, but he has yet to reply as of posting time.

In November, the DOJ started its investigation on Duterte following his pronouncements during hearings of the House Quad Committee (QuadComm).

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously said they are looking into the applicability of the International Humanitarian Law.

During one of the QuadComm hearings, Duterte claimed that he had killed at least six people during his time as mayor of Davao City.  The former President also claimed he had killed a lot of crooked police officials.

Prior to the submission of the report, the groups held a protest rally before the department. Some were carrying tarpaulins calling for justice for accountability from both the former president and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Among them were families of the victims of the so-called Bloody Sunday raids in March 2021 where nine activists died.

“Pinapanawagan muli namin ‘yung hustisya para sa mga biktima, lalo na no, kasama ‘yung international community. Nakikita natin na ito ay violation ng International Humanitarian Law,” Defend Southern Spokesperson Tagalog Charm Maranan said in a separate interview.

(We are again calling for justice for the victims along with the international community. We know that this is a violation of the International Humanitarian Law.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News