Senate drug war probe transcript sent to ICC – Trillanes

VANGUARD OF JUSTICE The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is investigating the extrajudicial killings related to the drug war in the Philippines from Nov. 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, when Rodrigo Duterte served as Davao City mayor and Philippine president. —ICC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The transcript of the Senate hearing on the drug war, where former President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that he kept a “death squad” to crack down on suspects, was sent to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This was disclosed by staunch Duterte critic former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in a tweet on Wednesday, days after the Senate subcommittee on blue ribbon launched its investigation into Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

“The transcript of the Senate hearing where evil Duterte confessed to extrajudicial killings was transmitted to the ICC. The pertinent [House of Representatives] Quad Comm transcripts were transmitted early on and all were duly received,” he said in Filipino.

“All of these may be used in the trial later on,” he added.

During the Senate hearing, Duterte admitted that he kept a “death squad,” he tried to convince police officials to kill some individuals, and he ordered police officers to “encourage” suspects to fight back so they could be summarily executed.

In a press conference also on Wednesday, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the first chief of police appointed by Duterte and the chief implementer of the drug war, was pressed to comment on Trillanes’ disclosure that the Senate hearing’s transcript was sent to the ICC.

“No comment. I don’t want to dignify that person. I will not comment on that. When you say Trillanes, nothing,” he said in Filipino.

Dela Rosa also said he is not worried about the possibility that ICC probers have begun their investigation into alleged human rights violations committed during the drug war.

“Alright, if you’re there, go ahead. There’s no need to worry about that, when you worry, you’re the only loser,” he said in Filipino.

Earlier, Senate President Francis Escudero said the Senate has not received any formal communication from the ICC regarding their drug war probe.

READ: Bato dela Rosa urged to explain role in Duterte ‘drug war’ before ICC