MANILA, Philippines — Either fall with the President or stand as witness before prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Policemen, who took part in the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs), might have to make this decision soon, according to former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, since the ICC is expected to finish next year its preliminary examination of the complaint filed against President Rodrigo Duterte before the international tribunal over the drug war killing.
“Justice is coming,” Trillanes, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, said in a statement on Friday.
In its report released Thursday, the ICC said it found sufficient basis to proceed as only a few investigations have been conducted on the human rights issues and alleged EJKs under the Duterte administration’s brutal drug war.
READ: ICC to continue assessing complaint vs Duterte; findings out in 2020
The ICC also said the preliminary examination of the crimes against humanity complaint against the President may be finished in 2020.
Once the preliminary examination is finished, the ICC Prosecutor can decide whether or not there is a need to open an investigation against Duterte and his bloody anti-drug campaign.
“To the members of the PNP who have been a part of the EJKs, you would have to make a decision on whether you would fall with Duterte on being liable for crimes against humanity, or you would partly cleanse your crime by being a witness for the ICC prosecutors,” Trillanes said.
Statement re ICC's report of completion of preliminary examination in 2020:
Justice is coming. To the members of the PNP who have been a part of the EJKs, you would have to make a decision on whether you would fall with Duterte on being liable for crimes against humanity, or… pic.twitter.com/LZetuZ2RAc
— Sonny Trillanes IV (@TrillanesSonny) December 6, 2019
“Now, let me point out the obvious, as Duterte steps down from office in just a little over 2 years, he would not be able to protect you. In fact, even Duterte won’t be able to protect himself,” he added.