No EJK pattern, says DoJ
The International Criminal Court has authorized an official probe into alleged crimes against humanity in Duterte’s war on drugs
Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday disclosed that he does not see any pattern of extrajudicial killings (EJK) on the previous administration’s “war on drugs” amid the call of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the government to accede to their planned investigation on the supposed killings of illegal drugs personalities.
Remulla stressed that those involved in the supposed extrajudicial killings — which fall under Administrative Order 35 are currently under investigation but maintained there should be focus and baseline or statistics for it.
“The investigation is continuing but focus on the investigation should prevail, there should be baseline on the investigation or statistics, there should be face and approach should be scientific,” Remulla said.
To recall, the intensified campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs was one of the centerpiece programs of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which has earned criticisms from different human rights groups here and abroad.
And while the ICC criticized the previous administration, Duterte’s government vehemently denied the allegations as it maintained those who died were all resisted arrest and attacked police forces.
Remulla said that there should be an investigation because he believed those who perish should not be forgotten since the public will question and doubt the wisdom of the government.
“They should be remembered if they really undergone difficulties thus we should put it in proper perspective and give them justice if need be,” he added.
The DoJ chief also stressed that he is not siding on anyone and what he is after is to give justice to where it was due though he cannot see a pattern of extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs but still investigation should continue.
Records of the war on drugs were already turned over to Remulla and he is in the process of reviewing it though he maintained that it will take time for it but assured he will do his very best for it.
The ICC has previously authorized an official probe into alleged crimes against humanity in Duterte’s “war on drugs,” saying that there was “reasonable basis” to proceed with the probe noting that “specific legal element of the crime against humanity of murder” has been met in the crackdown that left thousands dead.
The ICC’s pre-trial chamber also said that while it recognizes the Philippines’ duty to fight drug smuggling and addiction, the “so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation, and the killings neither as legitimate nor as mere excesses in an otherwise legitimate operation.”