Responding to the news of ICC’s appointment legal representatives for the victim of the “war on drugs”, PCICC Co-Chairpersons, Atty. Arpee Santiago and Dr. Aurora Parong, said:
“The Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court (PCICC) expresses its full support for the ICC-appointed legal representatives assisting victims in the case of The Prosecutor v. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Their appointment is an important step in ensuring that victims and their families are able to meaningfully participate in proceedings before the International Criminal Court, in accordance with the Rome Statute. The appointed team has demonstrated, through years of dedicated work in the Philippines and before the ICC, a steadfast commitment to truth, justice, and the protection of victims’ rights. Their track record reflects professionalism, integrity, and deep engagement with affected communities.
We are deeply concerned by efforts of the Defense counsel to discredit Filipino lawyers Joel Butuyan, Gilbert Andres, and Colene Arcaina. Attempts to undermine the credibility of legal representatives serving victims risk diverting attention from the serious charges at hand and may intimidate those who seek accountability.
“We are confident that they will effectively represent victims’ voices before the Court of last resort. We are deeply concerned by efforts of the Defense counsel to discredit Filipino lawyers Joel Butuyan, Gilbert Andres, and Colene Arcaina. Attempts to undermine the credibility of legal representatives serving victims risk diverting attention from the serious charges at hand and may intimidate those who seek accountability. Such actions must not be allowed to weaken the integrity of the proceedings or silence the voices of victims. Recent developments identifying alleged co-perpetrators in the case further underscore that accountability must extend beyond one individual.
“The crimes committed during the so-called “war on drugs” were not carried out in isolation. If the evidence establishes that other individuals shared responsibility in the planning, ordering, or implementation of these crimes, we call on the International Criminal Court to ensure that they, too, are brought within the justice process so that accountability is complete and meaningful. Justice for victims demands that all those responsible are held to account regardless of rank, position, or political influence. Only by addressing the full scope of responsibility can justice truly be served and impunity decisively ended.
“Victims of the drug war have waited many years for justice. Ensuring that their legal representatives can perform their duties free from harassment, and that all those responsible are investigated and prosecuted where warranted, is essential to upholding the rights guaranteed under the Rome Statute and restoring faith in the rule of law. PCICC reiterates that the ICC process must remain focused on accountability for crimes against humanity and on safeguarding the rights, dignity, and participation of victims.”