NUPL welcomes ICC decision to reject PH plea to suspend drug war probe

MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) on Tuesday expressed its support for the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber to reject the national government’s plea to suspend its investigation on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

The NUPL said that the ICC proceedings are on track and aligned with its search for justice for the victims of the deadly anti-drug campaign under Duterte’s administration.

“It is all systems go for the ICC prosecutor’s investigation into the Philippines war on drugs, and all victims should be able to participate in the proceedings. We are reassured by the decision of the Appeals Chamber,” said NUPL-NCR general secretary Kristina Conti in a statement.

Last March 13, the government asked the ICC to reverse its decision to reopen the investigation into the killings committed under the Duterte administration’s drug war. The chamber rejected this request on Monday.

Likewise, NUPL chairperson Neri Colmenares, who is also the chairman of progressive group Bayan Muna and the lawyer of the bloody anti-drug operations victims, welcomed the ICC’s response to the government’s plea.

“I am heartened that the ICC Appeals Chamber has rejected the request of the Philippine government to suspend the ICC Prosecutor’s investigation on the crimes against humanity committed during Duterte’s war on drugs, pending the resolution of the Philippine appeal of the decision authorizing the Prosecutor to resume investigation,” said Colmenares.

He also stressed that there is no basis for the current administration’s claim that the ICC investigation would “create irreversible damage” to the country.

“The Marcos-Duterte administration could always continue its supposed investigation here while the ICC is also investigating. The Philippine threat that an ICC investigation has far-reaching and inimical consequences on the suspects, witnesses, and victims’ is also without legal or factual basis,” explained Colmenares.

“In fact, any suspension of the investigation, on the contrary, has inimical implications on the victims and witnesses as they have been waiting for justice since their kin were ruthlessly and arrogantly murdered more than six years ago. Any delay in the investigation would only render the victims and their relatives vulnerable to pressure and attack,” he added.

Colmenares said the group asks the chamber to deny the appeal of the government for the investigation to continue and lead to the trial of Duterte.

Meanwhile, Conti explained that although ICC said the country may continue its domestic investigations, the group is concerned that these investigations may not be “transparent, comprehensive, and conducive enough to earn the victims’ trust.”

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