Karapatan welcomes the decision of the International Criminal Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber to open an investigation on the alleged crimes against humanity in the course of the drug war in the Philippines.
We note that the Chamber sees as “apparent” that the attacks against civilian population in the drug war took place pursuant to or in furtherance of a State policy, citing statements by President Rodrigo Duterte, former police chief and senator Ronald dela Rosa and government policies through circulars. The Chamber’s view that these attacks were widespread and systematic likewise reaffirms the views of victims and their families.
Duterte and his cohorts should be made accountable for these crimes.
Cristina Palabay
Karapatan Secretary General