A lawyers group has urged the government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in providing information on domestic investigations being conducted on alleged wrongdoings committed by law enforcers in the country’s war against illegal drugs.
The Center for International Law (CenterLaw) made the call after Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said on Thursday, Nov. 25, that the government would reject the request of the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor for information on these domestic investigations.
“CenterLaw acknowledges the principle of due process in the international criminal justice system,” it said in a statement.
“Our challenge to the Philippine government to honor the legal processes is a call for consistency: let justice be done, and let its standards apply to all,” it declared.
ICC had granted the request of the Philippine government to suspend investigation over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the war against illegal drugs.
But ICC Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan said the Philippine government should provide proof of its investigations, particularly on killings that resulted in the operations.
“In making the earlier request for a deferral of the investigation into the Situation in the Philippines under Article 18 of the Rome Statute, the Philippine government is effectively invoking its primary duty to investigate atrocity crimes but also, consequently, subjects itself to the intrinsic review mechanisms under Article 18 of the Statute,” CenterLaw pointed out.
“For the Philippine government to make such a request under Article 18 while claiming that it would reject the request for more information, indicates that the Philippines is not making the request for deferral in good faith,” it stressed.
Last Thursday, Nov. 25, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is ready to provide the information.
“If requested by the ICC and authorized by the Philippine government, the DOJ will provide such information as may be needed,” Guevarra said.