By Brian Campued
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is focused on helping the witnesses who wish to testify against former President Rodrigo Duterte to give justice to the victims of his bloody war on drugs campaign, according to Malacañang.
In a press briefing on Friday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified that the Philippines is still not cooperating directly with the International Criminal Court on Duterte’s crimes against humanity charges.
“It can be said that it is indirectly cooperating with the ICC. But, the primary intention of the government is to help the victims and the witnesses of the victims to get the justice they need,” Castro said.
“Tutulungan po natin ay ang kapwa nating Pilipino na nangangailangan ng tulong para mabigyan sila ng hustisya… At ayon din naman po sa DOJ, kahit sino pang witnesses—kung ito po ay witnesses ng mga biktima, mapa-ICC man po ito o sa ibang mga pagkakataon, tutulungan pa rin po nila,” she added.
Malacañang’s statement comes after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on Thursday that the DOJ has been coordinating with the ICC since May this year for witness protection.
According to Remulla, the international tribunal asked for the DOJ’s help to put the drug war witnesses under the witness protection program.
“Mahalaga ang testigo para marinig nang maayos ang kanilang testimoniya, para malaman kung ano talaga ang nangyari sa mga panahon na iyon,” the DOJ chief said.
While President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants justice to be served, Castro emphasized that no discussions have been held regarding the possible return of the Philippines to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.
“Sa ngayon, wala po talaga. Kapag po siguro nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon ng Pangulo na mabanggit ko ito nang mas malaliman, tingnan natin kung ano iyong kaniyang magiging reaksiyon,” the Palace press briefer said. (with report from Harley Valbuena and Louisa Erispe / PTV News)
-jpv
