The two stated that because of martial law proclamation on Mindanao and the alleged extra judicial killings depicts the need for ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to conduct an immediate preliminary examination, "as a matter of law and conscience" and that the "state is unwilling" to investigate the killings and that they are "unable to prosecute" the Philippine president.
"It must be emphasized that hardly one month after the communication from the Philippines was filed, the killings in the Philippines continued, and no genuine effort can be seen from the government to abate or at least investigate these killings, thus, proving in fact that the killings are a national policy of President Duterte and, therefore, state-sponsored," the two stated.
The two also accused the Senate for having "no genuine effort" to "seek the truth" on the investigation of the so-called Davao Death Squad.
"This apparent impunity on the part of the main perpetrator/ accused, President Duterte, is borne by his confidence that he will never be held accountable by the institutions (of checks and balance) since they are also under his control," they stated in the complaint.
A month before the two flew to The Hague, a similar communication with 77 pages was also filed by Atty. Jude Sabio, lawyer of the self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato. The lawyer accused President Duterte of crimes against humanity due to the nationwide war against illegal drugs.
The lawyer also included Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in the complaint he filed in ICC, claiming that they contributed one way or another to the commission of a crime.
Not too long ago, the House of Representatives junked Gary Alejano's impeachment complaint against President Duterte for being insuffient in substance and because of this Trillanes and Alejano stated that impeachment can no longer be a mode to make Duterte accountable of his so-called crimes.
His impeachment complaint was dismissed acquiring votes of 217-4-0 last month. Therefore, President Duterte is immune to any other impeachment complaint until May 9, 2018.
The declaration of martial law in Mindanao due to terrorism and President Duterte's plans to extend the martial law nationwide has made the two, most especially Trillanes show some kind of fear. Because of this, Trillanes and Alejano hinted that this show "urgency" of the need for a preliminary examination.
"There is no doubt that with these recent developments, and with the multiple daily killings of drug suspects being a persistent and regular occurrence in the entire Philippines, there is now a more imperative and compelling need for the Office of the Prosecutor to immediately open a Preliminary Examination on these apparent crimes against humanity being perpetrated by the Administration of President Duterte," they stated.
Also included their complaint, is their want to drag 11 police officers who they accused of being liable for ordering, facilitating, or in any way contributing to the commission or attempted commission of a crime through the implementation of Oplan Tokhang.
The officers names are Police Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel, Police Chief Superintendent Jesus Martirez, Police Chief inspector Rexson Layug, Police Senior Inspector Nathaniel Jacob, Police Senior Inspector Magdalino Pimentel, Jr., Police Inspector Markson S. Almeranez, SPO3 Jonathan Bautista, PO3 Ronald Buad Alvarez, PO1 Sherwin Mipa, Police Officer Edmar Latagan, and Police Officer Marcelino Pedrozo III.
"The survey of cases, as reported in the media and as investigated by various institutions and human rights bodies, indicates that the practice of killing illegal drug personalities is widespread throughout the country. While happening nationwide, these killings, however, have the same pattern and, therefore, systematic," Trillanes and Alejano said.
Back in July 27, 2003, Trillanes and Alejano were ones of the leaders of the Magdalo mutineers where they took over Oakwood hotel to denounce former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Source: GMA
0 comments: