Philippine Coalition on the International Criminal Court
Media Quote
Responding to the statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, following judicial authorization to commence an investigation into the situation in the Philippines, PCICC Co-Chairperson and Spokesperson, Dr. Aurora Parong said:
“The quick response of ICC Prosecutor, Kharim Khan, ordering his office to commence investigation into the situation in the Philippines is highly commendable. This is a clear signal that Prosecutor Khan, only four months in office, has his sight set on possible crimes against humanity in the bloody war on drugs, not only when Rodrigo Duterte became President but also during the time he was mayor in Davao,
The quick response of ICC Prosecutor, Kharim Khan, ordering his office to commence investigation into the situation in the Philippines is highly commendable. This is a clear signal that Prosecutor Khan, only four months in office, has his sight set on possible crimes against humanity in the bloody war on drugs.
Dr. Aurora Parong
“At this time, it looks like the only venue for justice for the victims of the bloody war on drugs is at the ICC. The PCICC recognizes that the court faces many challenges similar with the situation in Afghanistan and the occupied Palestine territory, among many others. We are hoping that this investigation in the Philippines will result into trial and prosecution, not only of those who pulled the trigger but those who encouraged the killings and the bloody war,
“Government officials should not be obstacles to seeking justice. The DOJ should not only review the cases but make public the results of their inquiry as called for by the UNHRC. Secretary Guevarra and his office should now file cases against some police which were recommended by the Internal Affairs Services of the PNP for criminal and administrative cases,
“On this last day of the filing of candidacies for the 2022 elections, we call on the presidentiables to put in their platform the commitment to cooperate with the ICC towards achieving international justice and put in place the appropriate response to the drug problem using harm-reduction as the focus approach. Once elected, they must act to ensure accountability on the killings, torture, arbitrary detention and sexual abuse committed in the war on drugs.”