Moreno won’t stop ICC probe on Duterte’s drug war if he becomes president

MANILA, Philippines — Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said Friday that if he becomes president, he will not stop the International Criminal Court (ICC) from investigating the crimes against humanity cases filed against President Rodrigo Duterte over his war against illegal drugs.

Moreno, in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel, pointed out that an investigation does not mean that the one being probed is already guilty.

“I will not prevent anything. Rule of law will be observed under my watch. If there is nothing to hide, [that is okay]. Anyway, they are just investigating. It does not mean you are guilty or not,” he said when asked if he will allow the ICC to investigate the alleged extra-judicial killings (EJKs) committed under Duterte’s watch should he win the 2022 polls and become president.

“Even though for the sake of conversation, even though in their findings you still need to be prosecuted, hindi pa naman ibig sabihin na (it does not mean that) you are guilty also or not, whoever that may be,” Moreno added.

FILE PHOTO: Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso

“Why not? Wala namang mawawala. We could also gain some level of respect in neighboring countries and makita nila (they see) that we are certain about our rules, bakit hindi (why not)?” he further said.

Moreno likewise assured that he “will not lift a finger” to protect Duterte from the investigation if Duterte will become his vice president.

Duterte earlier accepted the nomination of a PDP-Laban faction headed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi for him to run as vice president in the 2022 elections.

Moreno also stressed he is against the drug trade but he does not favor EJKs for drug suspects. He said that drug suspects in Manila City, are arrested and undergo proper legal procedures instead of being summarily executed. In his city, he said, they respect the rights of suspects.

“Galit tayo sa drugs, pero I don’t like EJK, whatever it is. Hinuhuli namin ang mga suspek, dinadala namin sa husgado. Kinikilala namin ang trabaho at karapatan ng husgado at kinikilala namin ang karapatang pantao ng suspek,” he added.

(We are angry with drugs but I don’t like EJK or whatever it is. We arrest suspects and bring them to the judge. We recognize the job of the judge and the human rights of the suspects.)

On September 15, the ICC announced that its Pre-Trial Chamber I had approved the start of a probe into crimes against humanity cases filed against Duterte in connection with the drug war killings.

However, presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo said the Philippines will not cooperate with the ICC investigation on Duterte’s war on drugs.

KGA