Pabillo welcomes ICC probe into drug war killings, questions Duterte's non-participation

Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo on Wednesday welcomed the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into deaths related to the administration's drug war even as he questioned President Rodrigo Duterte’s non-cooperation in the probe.

“‘Yun ‘yung nakakalungkot kung wala naman silang kasalanan bakit hindi sila magpa-investigate? Bakit hindi sila mag-participate?” Pabillo said in a press conference.

(If they are not liable for any crimes, why are they not participating in the investigation?)

The religious leader also welcomed ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s request for authorization to open a full investigation into drug war killings in the Philippines.

“In a way, it’s a welcome development kasi kung walang kasalanan, the investigation will show (if there are no crimes committed, then the investigation will show),” Pabillo said.

He explained that the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CPCP) has been advocating against the culture of impunity, highlighting the need for accountability in every administration.

“Ang gusto lang natin maiwasan 'yung culture of impunity na magagawa nila ang gusto nilang gawin na hindi mananagot. Kasi bahagi po ng good governance, bahagi po ng democracy ang accountability,” he said.

(What we want to prevent is the culture of impunity where officials can do whatever they want but they are not being held accountable. Accountability is part of good governance and democracy.)

Pabillo explained that government officials are just stewards who should be accountable for every action they make using their authority.

“Kung pinagkatiwala sa kanila, managot sila. Kaya maganda na may ganyan tayong mga investigation para malaman talaga kung may kasalanan o may mga bagay na wala namang kasalanan,” he said.

(If they were entrusted with authority, they should be held accountable. It is good to have these investigations to determine whether they have committed crimes or not.)

Apart from accountability, Pabillo said the CBCP is also asking for transparency from the government.

On Tuesday, Malacañang said Duterte will never cooperate with any investigation that may be launched by ICC.

"Hinding-hindi tayo magko-cooperate dahil hindi na tayo miyembro ng ICC [We will not cooperate because we are no longer member of the ICC]," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a press briefing in Camp Crame.

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in March 2019.

Malacañang’s statement came after Bensouda’s request for a full investigation, saying crimes against humanity could have been committed.

Human Rights Watch described Bensouda's decision as a "big blow" to Duterte's "presumption of impunity for these crimes."

The Department of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, said it found Bensouda's action “deeply regrettable” as the Philippines has taken steps to address issues relating to the anti-narcotics war. —KG, GMA News