Start of ICC probe brings hope to families of drug war victims —Hontiveros

The start of the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the anti-illegal drug campaign in the Philippines brings hope to the families of the drug war victims, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Thursday.

“Ito ay panibagong pag-asa para sa mga pamilyang Pilipino na biktima ng walang habas na pagpaslang. Noon, ngayon, at kailanman, hindi natin sila bibiguin (This a new hope to the families of Filipinos who were victims of killings. We will never fail them),” Hontiveros said in a statement.

The opposition lawmaker said it is about time for President Rodrigo Duterte to face the investigation.

She said the chief executive should not hinder the officials of the ICC in performing their duties.

“Ang Palasyo na mismo ang nagpapatagal ng prosesong ito. Ano ba ang kailangan niya pang pag-isipan? Wala ba siyang kumpyansa sa sarili nyang paliwanag? Ano ba ang ikinakatakot nya?” she asked.

(The Palace itself delays this process. What do they need to think about? Aren’t they confident to explain what had transpired? What are they scared about?)

“Minsan dapat sundin ni Presidente ang sarili niyang mga salita: Kung walang itinatago, bakit matatakot?” she added.

(The President should sometimes follow his own words: If he is not hiding anything, what is there to be afraid of?)

Hontiveros expressed confidence that the ICC will pursue their mandate to exact accountability to the “mastermind” and the “architect” of these crimes, particularly the “bloody killings” in the country due to the drug war.

She also urged the public to cooperate, especially the officials, to exact the accountability of the involved officials.

On the other hand, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said the ICC will “continue with their timetable no matter what we do” as the body was created by a treaty in which the Philippines has no control over.

“As a responsible member of the international community, we just have to respect their systems,” Pimentel said.—AOL, GMA News