The findings of the House Committee on Human Rights could serve as evidence in the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe into alleged crimes against humanity by former President Rodrigo Duterte and other officials of his administration.
Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez gave this assurance during Monday’s hearing of the committee’s inquiry into the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) related to the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs.
“The outcome of this investigation can be used in filing in different courts, and can be used also as evidence in the ICC,” Fernandez said, after former senator Leila De Lima—who testified before the committee for the first time—expressed concerns about thoroughness and impact of local investigations into the bloody drug war of the previous administration.
Fernandez’s assurance also addressed recent comments by Duterte’s former police chief, now Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who questioned the House panel’s authority to conduct the probe.
“We are an independent body, and we are discussing this thoroughly. It will be dependent on the chairman what to do with the committee report. And that can be used by anybody, particularly those victims of the [war on drugs],” Fernandez said.
The lawmaker’s statement indicated willingness to cooperate with international bodies, potentially diverging from the executive department’s stance of non-cooperation with the ICC.
De Lima pointed out the ICC’s concerns regarding the adequacy of local investigations. She stressed that without actual criminal proceedings, the ICC investigation would not cease.
“Masyado po silang nakukulangan (They found it wanting),” she said, referring to the ICC’s assessment that local processes lacked “tangible, concrete, and progressive investigative steps.”
Meanwhile, committee chairperson Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante was disappointed over the absence of crucial witnesses, such as Duterte and Dela Rosa.
“We have sought to invite all those who can shed light on the different facets of this issue. Which is why it is regrettable that despite the assurances this committee has given, some key personalities have not taken the opportunity to air their side on the issue that had been raised,” Abante said.
Addressing his colleagues and the public, Abante reiterated the committee’s dedication to impartiality.
“This committee does not want to be one-sided, and to avoid this, we have endeavored to hear all sides. The integrity of this inquiry depends on obtaining all the facts and hearing all the perspectives,” Abante stressed.
Abante also responded to Dela Rosa’s recent media statements questioning the authority of the committee to investigate. “We have the right according to our rules. You have been interviewed in the media, how I wish that you can be here and make it clear to us.”
He cited past statements, including that of Police Col. Jovie Espenido, one of the poster boys of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, who admitted human rights violations during his tenure.
Abante also referenced Dela Rosa’s public admissions of such violations during his time as director general of the Philippine National Police, which he termed as “collateral damage.”
Be the first to comment