Quad comm won’t allow ICC to access its drug war hearing transcript

Representatives Robert Ace Barbers (center) and Dan Fernandez of the House quad committee INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives quad committee will not grant the International Criminal Court (ICC) access to the transcript of its hearings on the former President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s brutal drug war, panel chair and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers maintained on Thursday.

Barbers’ statement came after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reiterated that the Philippines would not cooperate with the ICC if it were to investigate the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.

READ: Duterte dares ICC to begin probe immediately: ‘Baka mamatay na ako’

“Ako, I will still maintain na hindi (I maintain that we don’t give them the transcript). Until we become a member and until there is a directive coming from no less than our president, maybe that’s the only time we will change our position,” the lawmakers told reporters on Thursday.

“We are not a member of the ICC. We have no obligation to them. Whatever steps the ICC will take in this country, it’s up to them,” he also pointed out in a mix of Filipino and English.

Likewise, Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez said he is firm with his stand that the ICC should not meddle with the country’s justice-related affairs.

“I’ve been in Netherlands. Pinuntahan namin yung Hague. Pinuntahan ko yung International Criminal Court. Nag-ikot po kami sa loob niyan. Recently lang po yan,” Fernandez said.

(We went to Hague and the ICC, we took a tour inside recently.)

“At nakita ko po kung gaano kalungkot doon. You never wanted to be a part of that investigation. And even yung investigation per se, kasi pinanood namin yung proceedings nila, napaka-tahimik, talagang hindi ka pwede magsalita […] Palagay ko yun ang iniiwasan ng ating dating pangulo,” he added.

(I saw that it’s sad there, you never wanted to be part of that investigation. And even yung investigation per se, their proceedings are quiet, and no one is allowed to speak. I think the former president does not like that.)

During the November 13 hearing, Duterte dared the ICC to immediately begin its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.

He added that the ICC is welcome to its probe as soon as Thursday (November 13).

“ICC, Ma’am?  I am asking the ICC to hurry up, and if possible, they can come here and start the investigation tomorrow; this issue has been left hanging for so many years,” Duterte said.

“Ang tagal, Ma’am, baka mamatay na ako hindi na nila ako ma-imbestiga.  So I’m asking the ICC through you na magpunta na sila dito bukas, umpisahan na nila investigation,” he added.

(What’s taking them so long ma’am, I might die and they won’t be able to investigate me. So I’m asking ICC through you to come here tomorrow and start their investigation.)

But by the end of the mega panel’s hearing, Duterte was firm that ICC has no jurisdiction in the country.

Based on reports, Duterte’s brutal drug war left at least 6,000 people dead.

However, data from human rights watchdog Karapatan, showed that the former chief executive should be held accountable for the extrajudicial killings of 30,000 individuals involved with drugs.