Media Quote
Responding to news that Representatives Bienvenido Abante and Ramon Gutierrez filed House Resolution 1477, urging Philippine government agencies to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in conducting an investigation into possible crimes against humanity in the campaign against drugs, Dr. Aurora Parong, Co-Chairperson of the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) said:
“PCICC welcomes Resolution 1477, and in the interest of justice urgently asks all legislators to add their signatures to the resolution and convince colleagues to do so. We hope that many of our legislators support this move. We also strongly urge the Senate to initiate a similar resolution to strengthen and push forward its efforts for investigation. A change of heart towards justice by our legislators and the executive branch of government is a step in the right direction, and may very well serve as deterrent to future crimes.
A change of heart towards justice by our legislators and the executive branch of government is a step in the right direction, and may very well serve as deterrent to future crimes.
Dr. Aurora Parong, PCICC Co-Chairperson
“The resolution comes at a time when former Senator Leila De Lima vows to help the ICC in its efforts to gather evidence and identify witnesses related to the Davao Death Squad (DDS) and the nationwide war on drugs under former President Rodrigo Duterte. The Senator’s efforts and the cooperation of Philippine government agencies add impetus to the investigation by the international court for crimes against humanity, torture, and arbitrary detention in the conduct of the war on drugs.”
“The families of the victims of killings by the Davao Death Squad, as well as victims in the nationwide war on drugs under the Duterte government, have been waiting for so long for the wheels of justice to turn in their favor. With scanty convictions for the killings and torture, the families are suffering and grieving. Yet they continue to hold on to that small light of hope that elusive justice will be found.”
“It is the Philippine government’s obligation to ensure remedies and to fulfill the rights of the victims. The grieving families should suffer no more in their long wait. They should not be deprived of their rights to remedy, reparations, and justice.”