The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) asserted that the findings of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the country’s war on drugs have no effect on the Philippines.
PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva pointed out that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the country after separating as a member. The separation has taken effect on March 2019 at the Rome Statue of the ICC.
The PDEA questioned the basis of the ICC for the “crime against humanity” committed by the current administration.
“For four years, 5900 plus lang ang namatay sa anti-drug operation. So humanity na ba ‘yun? (Only 5,900 have died in the anti-drug operation. So is that humanity?) Would it be a crime against humanity while our courts are functioning?”
PDEA DG Villanueva believes that politics may be the reason behind the constant attack against the war on illegal drugs.
“91 percent supports the President. 91 percent approval rating. [Secondly], 8 out of 10 Filipinos agree with the war on drugs of the President.” Villanueva asserted.
Lower House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairperson and Surigao Del Norte Representative Ace Barbers questioned the basis of the data of the ICC.
“Prosecutor Bensouda further admits that her study is based on ‘available information’, which obviously means information provided by the complainants. Clearly the story is one-sided and the findings premature at most.”
PDEA disclosed that the recent data of Real Numbers PH show that over 200,000 drug personalities have been arrested and almost 6,000 have been killed in drug operations. – Report from Bea Bernardo
