The International Criminal Court (ICC) made a direct appeal for more direct witnesses to incidents of crimes against humanity related to former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs campaign.
ICC’s Facebook page posted the appeal in English, Filipino and Cebuano last April 15, particularly mentioning members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agents involved in the incidents to come forward and speak with its prosecutors.
The Court said the incidents may include killings, torture and sexual violence between November 2011 and March 2019.
Duterte was Davao City mayor and president in the said timeframe that ended when his administration withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute creating the ICC.
Arrested last March, Duterte is currently detained at a jail facility in The Hague, The Netherlands awaiting trial by the ICC.
Just being thorough
Assistant counsel to the ICC Kristina Conti said ICC’s appeal did not mean there is lack in evidence and witnesses against Duterte.
“There was enough evidence to justify the accused’s arrest warrant,” the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers officer said.
She pointed out that the ICC prosecutors have also submitted 5,051 items of documentary evidence they even disclosed to the former president’s lawyers.
“The prosecutors have submitted an initial list of witnesses to the Court but it remains confidential,” she added.
Conti said the ICC can still appeal for more witnesses to come forward as the investigation phase has yet to be concluded.
“Until this is closed and a final report is released, the ICC prosecutor will continue to gather evidence,” Conti added. “For now, we must trust the process. It is better to deal with the case completely and thoroughly, rather than carelessly or by piecemeal,” she said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
