Diokno dares Bato to submit Senate drug war probe transcript to ICC

Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno File photo by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Atty. Chel Diokno, Akbayan 1st nominee, dared on Friday Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to personally submit the transcript of the Senate blue ribbon’s drug war probe to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“If he genuinely believes that the findings lack substance, he should have no reservations about presenting the transcript to the ICC for their independent assessment,” said Diokno in a tweet.

Diokno then proceeded to question dela Rosa’s reaction to the Senate’s willingness to provide a copy of the transcript should ICC probers demand.

“If Sen. Bato truly believes these accusations hold no water, why is he so afraid to release the transcripts? Kung hindi siya guilty, siya mismo magpadala ng official Senate transcript sa ICC,” he said.

(If he is not guilty, he should personally bring an official copy of the transcript to the ICC.)

Senate President Chiz Esudero earlier said  the Senate, without hesitation, would be willing to certify and provide a copy of transcript of the Senate’s probe into Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war should ICC probers ask for one.

“If someone makes a request with a valid reason for the request, the Senate will not hesitate to certify a copy of the transcript of the hearing conducted in relation to [extrajudicial killings],” Escudero told reporters.

Likewise, the Senate chief previously said the upper chamber has not received any formal communication from probers of the ICC  regarding Duterte’s dreaded anti-drug campaign.

Staunch Duterte critic and former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, for his part, claimed that the transcript of the Senate hearing on the drug war, where Duterte admitted that he kept a “death squad” to crack down on suspects, was sent to the ICC.

Meanwhile, being Duterte’s former top cop, dela Rosa was also the chief implementer of the former president’s brutal Oplan Tokhang — which landed him on the roster of Duterte administration officials who were accused of crimes against humanity by drug war victims-families before the International Criminal Court.