House of Representatives, Quezon City (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chair and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Thursday said the International Criminal Court (ICC) is free to record the ongoing hearings on the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs” and use for its own investigations.
In a statement, Barbers said since legislative hearings are public, transcripts or maybe even the records of the hearings can be used by anyone.
“If the ICC would want to use this, it’s up to them kasi nga public record na ito. Kung makakatulong sa kanila o hindi (because it’s already public record. If it can help them or not), it is up to them,” he said.
Barbers said the upcoming joint investigation of the four committees would comprehensively look into the possible connection between Philippine online gaming operators (POGOs) and crime associated with it, illegal drugs, and alleged violation of human rights during the bloody anti-drug campaign of the previous administration.
He, however, clarified that he is against the idea of allowing the ICC to use the House Committee on Human Rights’ own records.
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante said he would prefer the ICC gather its own evidence.
Abante said he would not allow the Committee on Human Rights to be used by the ICC for its investigations.
“Our President has made it clear that we do not recognize the ICC in the Philippines right now. So, it’s up to them to investigate, but I’m not going to allow the Committee on Human Rights to be used by the ICC for their own investigation,” Abante said.
According to reports, the ICC is currently gathering evidence in its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to unlawful killings in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” in the Philippines.
Government data shows that more than 6,200 drug suspects have died in anti-narcotics operations during the Duterte administration from June 2016 to November 2021.
Bato nixes House 'Quad Comm' invite
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has no plan of attending the joint hearing of four House panels or the "Quad Comm" investigating various issues linked to the Duterte administration, including the alleged extrajudicial killings.
In a Viber message to reporters, the top cop-turned senator said he does not want to break the tradition of the legislature.
"I decline their invitation on the grounds that I don’t want to become the precedent in breaking the interparliamentary courtesy tradition of both houses of Congress," Dela Rosa said.
One of the Quad Comm, the House Committee on Human Rights, is planning to look into Dela Rosa's role in Duterte's controversial war on illegal drugs.
Abante justified the invitation by stating that the House has the right to examine Dela Rosa's actions during his tenure as PNP chief, particularly in relation to the high number of deaths associated with the anti-drug campaign. (With a report from Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)
