News Roundup 25 June 2022
Jun 25, 2022 • 5 min Read
ICC prosecution: High-profile DOJ-led review of ‘war on drugs’ killings a ‘desk review’ | PHILSTAR.COM – The high profile Department of Justice-led panel assessment of “war on drugs” operations that resulted in deaths was a mere “desk review” and does not reach the level of a domestic investigation that would merit a deferral of the International Criminal Court’s probe into the killings. ICC Proseuctor Karim Khan has formally requested judges of the pre-trial chamber to move forward in the probe into the President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs.” “I have concluded that the deferral requested by the Philippines is not warranted, and that the investigation should resume as quickly as possible,” ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement issued in The Hague. Khan noted that the Philippine government highlighted the DOJ Panel in its efforts to investigate the killings — an ambitious commitment that Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra made before the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2020, but was generally questioned domestically for its timing and motivation as ruse for the ICC investigation But for the ICC prosecutor, the touted DOJ Panel merely did an administrative “desk review.” Khan noted that the DOJ-led panel does not appear to have an authority independent from the justice secretary, citing the referral of cases to the National Bureau of Investigation for case build-up. NBI is attached to the DOJ. Khan noted that the panel has so far referred 302 NBI cases — 52 from the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service and 250 from the National Prosecution Service — the Philippine government did not explain how the review was conducted. The information table sent to the ICC prosecutor only contains observations and remarks on how the victims died and noted lapses in procedure, he said. “However, there is no indication in these observations and remarks of any concrete investigative steps taken by the Panel in relation to any of the cases,” Khan said. “Consequently, and in light of the observations and remarks provided, it appears that the Panel merely conducted a ‘desk review’ of these 302 cases, followed by a request or recommendation that an actual investigation be commenced by the NBI,” he said. Khan said the review “does not constitute investigative activity within the framework of article 18(2) [deferral request] and cannot justify deferral of the Court’s investigation.” The panel has drafted two reports since the start of the supposed “judicious review of the 5,655 anti-illegal drug operations where deaths occurred.” The first covered 300 cases in a handful of provinces such as Bulacan and Pampanga, but this was not publicized and was submitted directly to President Rodrigo Duterte. A matrix was released on the second report that covered 52 cases from the police’s Internal Affairs Services where it found direct liability on cops involved in the deadly “war on drugs” operations. Khan said that the NBI, which his office acknowledged is capable of conducting criminal probes, made concrete investigations in three of the four lists of cases. The government did not respond to the ICC Prosecution Office which asked for more substantiation on remaining cases. “A mere referral for investigation, without more, is insufficient to establish inadmissibility,” Khan sakid. But even if the NBI is taking concrete investigative steps on all cases referred them, the efforts “would still fall far short of seeking accountability for the thousands of killings attributable to police (and other groups) in the [“war on drugs”] context.” “Such a limited fraction of cases would not adequately address the quantity, scope, and gravity of potential cases within the parameters of the Court’s investigation into the situation. On that basis also, the resumption of the Court’s investigation should be authorized,” he added.
NTC has no power to block news websites based on ‘mere allegations,’ says IBP | INQUIRER.NET – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Saturday said the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has no power to restrict access to news websites based on “mere allegations.” This, after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba ordered internet service providers (ISPs) in the country to block the website of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and other supposed communist-linked websites on the request of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon. The NTC ordered ISPs to block access to 27 websites “affiliated to and are supporting” CPP-NPA-NDF, which the Philippine government designated as terrorist organizations. Among these websites are two that belong to online news organizations. “The NTC has no power to restrict access to news websites and members of the press based on mere allegations,” the IBP said in a statement. “Neither may it extend the scope of the Anti-Terrorism’s Council’s (ATC) designation order to ‘affiliates at the barest invocation of terrorism.” The IBP pointed out that Esperon “merely alleged” the connection between the blocked websites and organizations designated by ATC when he only attached news articles found on the said websites. “To take down the website is to muzzle their owners. Such a drastic move can’t be anchored on statements that in court would be treated as hearsay,” the IBP also said.
Noy remembered for leadership with competence, conscience | PHILSTAR.COM – As family, friends and supporters commemorated yesterday the first anniversary of the death of former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the nation will always remember his leadership that was marked with competence, conscience, compassion and commitment. This was the message of Fr. Bobby Yap during mass offered on Aquino’s first death anniversary at Ateneo de Manila’s Church of the Gesu. In remarks, Yap said classmates and friends of the late president raised about P15 million for a scholarship endowment fund to benefit youths outside Metro Manila. “In a year, P15 million has been raised, which will allow scholars outside the National Capital Region to study for their college here at ADMU,” Yap said. “He will also be remembered for representing the Philippines with honor and dignity, elevating our country’s status on the world stage,” Yap said. “In the face of a planet in emergency mode, a chaotic political environment, wars in different places, disinformation and misinformation and a heavily fractured society, we ask for (Aquino’s) prayers that Ateneo and Ateneans become true beacons of God’s light and love in our world,” he added.
