News Roundup 19 July 2023
Jul 19, 2023 • 4 min Read
ICC ruling a chance to ‘give better meaning’ to Marcos’ human rights commitment — CHR | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The government should view the decision of the International Criminal Court allowing the resumption of a probe into the “war on drugs” as an opportunity to fulfill the current administration’s commitment to ensure accountability for abuses, the Commission on Human Rights said Wednesday.
Appeals judges at the ICC rejected an attempt by the Philippine government to block an investigation into drug killings committed when Rodrigo Duterte was president and mayor of Davao City before that. The move cleared the way for the probe to resume.
“From the lens of justice, CHR acknowledges the continuation of the investigation as part of due process meant to uphold the rights of victims, as well as the accused, through a fair and impartial procedure with the end view of exacting truth and, later on, accountability from the perpetrators if and when guilt is established,” the commission said in a statement.
The national human rights institution encouraged the government to “view this decision as an opportunity to give better meaning to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment at the onset of his presidency to ensure a ‘high-level of accountability’ for human rights violations during his term.”
In its 2022 report into alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, the CHR said that internal probes into law enforcement operations that led to deaths had been “inaccessible and non-transparent.” It said the Philippine National Police oftentimes “refused, denied, or ignored” requests from to review documents.
Full Story at: ICC ruling a chance to ‘give better meaning’ to Marcos’ human rights commitment — CHR | Philstar.com
Badoy-Partosa, SMNI co-host face P2.15-M civil suit over red-tagging | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — An activist on Wednesday filed a multimillion-peso civil suit against former Palace official Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, who claims to be a former New People’s Army rebel, for their continued red-tagging of her and of progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).
BAYAN chairperson emeritus Carol Pagaduan-Araullo has filed a P2.15-million civil damage suit against Badoy and Celiz “because they have incessantly and wantonly engaged in a vilification spree to demonize me and my good name and that of my organization [BAYAN],” she said in a statement.
This includes allegations made through public statements, their personal Facebook accounts and their program on Sonshine Media Network International, a channel owned by controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
“My purpose is to exact accountability for their false, baseless and malicious public statements against me so that they will stop this pernicious practice not only against me and other social activists but for many more who they have categorized as ‘enemies of the state’ because of their critical or oppositionist stance… to government policies or programs and crimes and abuses committed by persons in authority,” she added.
Human rights organizations, including the UN human rights office and the Commission on Human Rights, have warned that the practice of equating dissent with rebellion and terrorism puts targets at risk of harassment and violence.
Full Story at: Badoy-Partosa, SMNI co-host face P2.15-M civil suit over red-tagging | Philstar.com
Duterte, Dela Rosa, others in ICC ‘drug war’ probe told: Skip European countries | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to continue its Philippine “drug war” probe, and former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa have been offered this piece of advice: Avoid European countries for now.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said keeping away from countries “where the ICC may be able to influence the judicial system” will be good for the respondents in the crimes against humanity complaint before the international tribunal.
“We will offer advice not to travel to countries where the ICC may be able to influence the judicial system,” Remulla said during a press briefing, referring to Duterte and dela Rosa.
Full Story at: Duterte, Dela Rosa, others in ICC ‘drug war’ probe told: Skip European countries | Inquirer News
DOJ chief Remulla to ICC: Keep off PH territory or it will be a mess | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday opposed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC), denouncing it as a stark symbol of a return to colonialism.
He said the ICC’s action, denying the Philippine government’s appeal against its investigation into the country’s brutal anti-drug campaign, means meddling with the Philippines’ justice system.
Remulla’s pronouncements come as the DOJ issued a statement expressing “deep disappointment” and “strong disagreement’ with the ICC ruling.
Full Story at: DOJ chief Remulla to ICC: Keep off PH territory or it will be a mess | Inquirer News
