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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ICC free to use House records for 'war on drugs' inquiry, says Barbers

ICC free to use House records for 'war on drugs' inquiry, says Barbers

Published Aug 8, 2024 04:34 am

At A Glance

  • Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the International Criminal Court (ICC) could opt to use records from ongoing hearings on the Duterte administration's bloody campaign against illegal drugs for its investigation.

IMG-3451dbc2d133d9b261e28ac8bf02554c-V.jpgSurigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILABULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the International Criminal Court (ICC) could opt to use records from ongoing hearings in the House of Representative on the Duterte administration’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs for its investigation.

“Records of such hearings would be out in the public. Anyone can use the transcript or maybe even records of the hearings,” he said in a recent press conference.

Barbers, chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, noted that hearings in the House of Representatives are open for public viewing—which makes their records and findings accessible to everyone.

“As to how they are going to use it, hindi namin sakop iyon (we have no control over that). If the ICC would want to use this, it’s up to them kasi nga public record na ito (because this is public record),” the veteran lawmaker said.

“Kung makakatulong sa kanila o hindi (Whether it helps them or not), it is up to them,” he added.

House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante, however, says he is against the idea of allowing the ICC to use his committee’s records.

Abante’s panel has been probing the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs”.

The congressman emphasized that he prefers the country’s issues be solved domestically. If it’s up to him, Abante said he would not even allow the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) to participate in ICC’s investigations.

“Our President has made it clear that we do not recognize the ICC in the Philippines right now. So it’s up to them to investigate,” he stressed, noting that the judicial body should gather evidence on its own.

According to reports, the ICC is currently gathering evidence in its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to unlawful killings and other suspected rights abuses during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Government data shows that more than 6,200 drug suspects have died in anti-narcotics operations from June 2016, or when Duterte took over Malacañang, until November 2021. 

However, some human rights organizations claim that more than 20,000 individuals have been killed during this war on drugs.

Related Tags

Robert Ace Barbers International Criminal Court (ICC) BENNY ABANTE War on drugs
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