Bam Aquino firm on EJK remark: ‘We can have different opinions on things'

Senator Bam Aquino on Wednesday stood firm on his remark that individuals implicated in the alleged extrajudicial killings should ideally be tried in Philippine courts, if only the country’s justice system is more capable of handling such cases.  

In an interview on Unang Hirit’s On Record segment, Aquino was asked if there was anything he wished to clarify about his previous statement, which drew conflicting reactions from both supporters and critics. 

“No, that's the statement. We respect the ICC process, of course. Pero kung ‘yung bansa natin mas matatag, mas malakas, kung ‘yung justice system natin mas may kayang i-handle ang mga ganitong bagay, there would be another time siguro na dapat dito sa Pilipinas nililitis ‘yan,” Aquino answered. 

(No, that's the statement. We respect the ICC process, of course. But if our country is more stable and stronger, and if our justice system is better able to handle such things, there would be another time maybe that the trial would be here in the Philippines.) 

“But of course, dahil sa mga kahinaan natin, nakikita natin na doon makukuha ng mga EJK victims ‘yung hustisya,” he added. 

(But of course, because of our weaknesses, we could see that the EJK victims will get justice in the international tribunal.) 

Last week, Aquino said the Philippines should “ideally” be the one to pursue justice and confront the killings that occurred during the Duterte administration’s drug war, noting that the victims and their families are in the country.

He, however, stressed that he respects the ongoing process at the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is based in The Hague, Netherlands.

This statement elicited different opinions on social media, with former senator Antonio Trillanes IV even calling it “insensitive and so unfair.”

But Aquino insisted that in a free country, it is good that people have their own views on things.

“Hindi pwedeng lahat de-kulay na lang ‘yung posisyon mo sa buhay. O, ganitong kulay ka, therefore, ganito dapat ‘yung posisyon mo. O kaalyado mo si ganito, therefore, dapat ganyan lagi. Lahat tayo may kanya-kanyang pananaw,” he said. 

(Your position in life can't be based on political color. That since you’re associated with this color, therefore this is what your position should be. Or since that’s your ally, therefore you should only act this way. We all have our own opinions.) 

“Posible naman na maganda ‘yung o parehas ang ating prinsipyo, parehas ang ating pinagalaban, naghanap pa rin tayo ng hustisya, naghanap pa rin tayo ng tulong sa mga kababayan natin, naghanap pa rin tayo ng Pilipinas na nais natin, pero posibleng magkakaiba lang ‘yung pananaw natin sa iba't ibang bagay,” he added. 

(It’s possible that our principles are the same, we are fighting for the same thing, we are all looking for justice, we are seeking help for our countrymen, we are pushing for the Philippines we all want, but we have different views on different things.) 

The ICC on Monday began the confirmation of charges hearing for former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case. 

Duterte was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11, 2025, based on a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC in connection with the alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration's drug war. —AOL, GMA Integrated News