VP Duterte won’t take part in ICC probe

Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from Inday Sara Dutere FB page)

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said that she will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into her father’s bloody war on drugs, as it “undermines the justice system” of the country.

Duterte issued this statement following former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s assertion that ICC investigators are on the verge of issuing an arrest warrant against Sara’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, as the main accused. 

Trillanes, in a separate interview over CNN, then revealed that Senator Ronald dela Rosa and the vice president herself would also be identified as the secondary and tertiary accused due to their alleged involvement in the controversial anti-drug campaign.

Vice President Duterte , however,  reiterated that she will not take part in the ICC’s probe.

“Hindi po ako lalahok o magiging parte ng isang prosesong hindi lamang magsasadlak sa kahihiyan sa bansa kundi dudurog din sa dignidad ng ating mga huwes, korte, at buong justice system ng Pilipinas,” she said.

(I will not participate or be a part of a process that not only brings shame to the country but also undermines the dignity of our judges, courts, and the entire justice system of the Philippines.)

“Huwag nating ipahiya ang bansa sa buong mundo sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahintulot sa mga dayuhan na manghimasok at makialam sa Pilipinas. Ang kahiligan na magpailalim sa mga dayuhan ay sampal sa mga bayaning Pilipino na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay at lumaban para lang sa ating kalayaan,” she added.

(Let us not embarrass our country before the whole world by allowing foreigners to interfere and meddle in the Philippines. The inclination to submit to foreigners is a slap to the Filipino heroes who sacrificed their lives and fought for our freedom.)

According to Duterte, this is the first time her name was linked to the issue hounding her father, particularly the alleged “Davao Death Squad” — a vigilante group believed to be behind the spate of killings of suspected drug traffickers and other criminals in the city

“Subalit, matapos akong manalo bilang Vice President, bigla na lang nagkaroon ng testigo laban sa akin at ngayon ay kasama na ako sa mga akusado sa International Criminal Court. Hindi ko kailangan ng death squad para sa mga bagay na kaya kong gawin,” she added.

(However, after being elected as vice president, a witness suddenly emerged against me, and now I am included among the accused in the International Criminal Court. I do not need a death squad for things I am capable of doing.)

The Vice President said she is ready to face any accusation against her but would only do so before a Filipino court and judge.