ICC Seeks Marcos Gov’t Cooperation for Protection of Witnesses vs. Duterte
MARCOS – The current administration confirmed that it is cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the protection of the witness in the case of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands for more than 100 days now. He is faced with an accusation of crimes against humanity over his administration’s war on drugs which is linked to several deaths.
In the ICC case of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, over 8,500 written evidence is set to be presented against the former President. He was arrested by the Philippine authorities last March 11 and was immediately flown en route for The Hague via Dubai on the same day that he was arrested.
Pres. Bongbong Marcos and the Philippine government were heavily criticized over the arrest of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The Palace defended the Chief Executive from “betrayal” accusations saying the government only acted on its commitment with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). It maintained that the government was not cooperating with the foreign entity.
Amid the detention of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the International Criminal Court, Malacañang claimed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos is open to talks about the Philippines rejoining the ICC. Recently, the Marcos administration confirmed that the government is cooperating with the foreign entity over the protection of the witnesses in the case.
Based on a report on PhilStar, Department of Justice chief Boying Remulla confirmed that there is “official word” that the ICC requested the coordination of the Philippine government in securing the witnesses that are set to testify against former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte under the Witness Protection Program.
According to Remulla, the Marcos admin and the government will cooperate on the request of the ICC for protection to the witnesses against Duterte. Based on the report, the DOJ Chief also confirmed that financial assistance will be extended by the government to the witnesses for their travel to The Hague.
“We have given our support and cooperation as this request is a well-founded request based on the necessity to bring the witnesses safely to The Hague to testify,” he said.
Currently, the camp of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is seeking an interim release from the International Criminal Court. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte called the former President as ‘super senior citizen’ in his interim release bid. However, the Marcos admin recently expressed opposition to it. Remulla stressed that Netherlands already have the best medical care.