Duterte consistent in implementing policies advancing human rights –Medialdea

President Rodrigo Duterte has been consistent in implementing policies advancing human rights, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Friday.

Medialdea issued the statement to mark International Human Rights Day, citing the passage of laws such as Free College Education, Universal Healthcare Program, as well as an infrastructure program, cash aid amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the government's COVID-19 response, as well as the anti-drug war, anti-terrorism, and anti-corruption initiatives.

"The President consistently introduced and implemented programs to reduce inequalities and advance human rights," Medialdea said.

"The success of these endeavors benefited our people who deserve protection and justice. The President made a promise that his administration will pursue social justice, and we all have seen those promises fulfilled even in the midst of a pandemic," Medialdea added.

The Duterte administration's drug war, however, is facing scrutiny from the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to a complaint lodged by the families and victims of the drug war killings.

The complaint alleged that the administration committed crimes against humanity in its drug war.

The ICC has deferred a probe on the Duterte administration's drug war at the request of the Philippines government, which cited an ongoing inquiry.

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor Karim Khan, however, has since clarified that the deferral will not stop his office from analyzing information already in its possession and any new information it may receive from third parties.

In addition, Khan's office said it will also actively assess the need for applications to the Pre-Trial Chamber for authority to conduct necessary investigative steps for the preservation of evidence under Article 18(6) of the Statute.

"As this process unfolds, the Office will continue to be particularly attentive to the security, safety and wellbeing of victims and witnesses, and the protections and measures foreseen under the Rome Statute in this regard, including potential recourse to article 70 of the Statute were warranted," Khan said.

The Department of Justice, for its part, has reviewed 352 cases of drug war deaths in police operations and released findings on 52 of the cases. — DVM, GMA News