ICHRP Calls Upon Vigilance and Full Process for Justice
Fri Oct 10 – The recent decision of ICC pre-trial judges to deny Former Philippine President Duterte’s request for interim release is the right and just. “We welcome this as a decision that upholds the safety, rights and wishes of the victims who have faced the terror of Duterte’s Presidency,” stated Patricia Lisson, International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) Vice Chairperson.
The decision comes after Duterte’s camp requested his interim release citing health concerns. In a 23-page response to the request, ICC pre-trial judges determined that as former President of the Philippines, Duterte “appears to have the necessary political contacts” to “help him abscond.” The judges’ decision highlighted that if he was released, he could “pose a threat to (potential) witnesses, either directly or indirectly through his supporters.”
ICHRP, as a human rights organization, calls on the international community to continue to stand in solidarity with the victims by condemning the ongoing harassment faced by their surviving families. “We must not allow this re-victimization of the families and survivors who have been at the forefront of the movement for justice. We must continue to stand behind them, provide any support possible, and demand justice for the thousands of victims of Duterte’s war on the poor and dissent,” says Lisson.
“This ruling is an affirmation of the victims’ assertion that Duterte is a threat to their rights and must remain behind bars until his trial is seen through to completion,” stated Lisson. “The judges’ decision casts further doubt on the validity of the previous claims of Duterte’s camp that he is “unfit for trial due” to health concerns. There should be assurance made to the victims and their families that the case moves forward swiftly until there is justice.”
The Court has previously charged Duterte with “crimes against humanity: in September. The charges include murders for which he has responsibility between 2013 – 2016 during his time as Mayor in Davao City, as well as murders during his time as President, including the killing of 14 so-called “high-value” targets from 2016-2017, as well as 43 murders during “clearance” operations between 2016-2018. These killings for which he is facing trial amount to only a tiny fraction of the 30,000 killings which occurred under his regime and during his all out war against the poor, against dissenters, and against rural and indigenous people.
Since his Presidency, the ICHRP has thoroughly documented his guilt in crimes against the Filipino people, including war crimes. “President Duterte must face justice for his unspeakable crimes against the people,” said Lisson. “In this time of increasing and worsening corruption in the Philippines, so must all, including current President Marcos, who continues to stoke the anger of the Filipino people for his corruption rife and fascist regime.”
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