Police operatives investigate the body of John Estrella, 18, who was found dead along a riverside road near the Manila Central Post Office in Manila, Philippines on Monday, June 27, 2017. Police reports said that the victim resisted arrest and that drug paraphernalia were recovered from the body. Basilio H. Sepe, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA - Members of the Makabayan bloc pressed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to declare his position on the Duterte administration's withdrawal of the Philippines from the International Criminal Court (ICC), after the tribunal resumed its investigation into the previous administration's war against illegal drugs.
"Hanggang ngayon nakakabingi ang katahimikan ni Marcos Jr. mismo sa usaping ito. Kailangan na niyang magpasya kung makikipagtulungan ba siya sa ICC o hindi, kung titindig ba siya mga biktima at para sa karapatang pantao o hindi," Kabataan Party List Rep. Raoul Manuel said during the bloc's weekly press conference.
House Deputy Minority Leader/ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said the current position of the government undermines the country's stature in the international committee and efforts to draw foreign investors to the country.
"Ano ba 'yung nagiging mukha natin samantalang nananatili 'yung kawalan ng accountability, kawalan ng hustisya sa mga biktima ng EJK or ng tokhang dito sa pekeng war on drugs ni dating President Duterte at kaniyang administration? Paano magtitiwala sa atin ang ibang bansa kung mismong ang gobyerno ni Marcos Jr. ay tila may pinagtatakpan?" Castro said.
Castro and Manuel noted how the slow pace of the justice system has allowed those behind the bloody war on drugs to go scot-free.
"Napakabagal ng ating justice system. Totoo na gumagana ang ating justice system pero ito ay talagang — ano sinasabi ng mga biktima? — justice delayed, justice denied," Castro said.
"Kaya sa 7,000 na sinasabi ng mga pulis na mga kaso ng tokhang at nanlaban, wala pang isang daan dito 'yung iniimbestigahan at 2 kaso pa lang 'yung may verdict na guilty," Castro added.
"Sa ating Secretary of Justice, huwag sabihing nakakairita ang ICC dahil talaga namang napakaraming pagkukulang ng ating justice system," said Castro.
Both Castro and Manuel pointed out that the justice system has so far failed to go after former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who as national police chief, implemented the war on drugs.
"Walang kaso na inihain laban kay President Duterte na siyang may programa nitong war on drugs, kaya kailangan talaga ng tulong ng ICC sa pag-iimbestiga dito sa mga EJK sa panahon ng war on drugs," Castro said.
"Kung tunay na nakakatugon ang justice system natin sa mga biktima ng pagpaslang at abuso sa ilalim ng madugong drug war, dapat 'di lang kawatang pulis sa baba ang kinakasuhan, kasi hangga't ligtas sa ating mga korte ang mga nag-utos at nagpapasya sa tuktok, mainam nga na bigyang daan ang ICC investigation," Manuel said.
"Malinaw sa mga kabataan na ang mga tulad ni Sen. Bato dela Rosa at dating Pangulo Rodrigo Duterte ang may pananagutan na 'di pa nababayaran sa drug war," Manuel added.
Castro also slammed threats by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile to arrest ICC personnel who will attempt to come to the country.
"Sinasabi ni Enrile na aarestuhin 'yung ICC na pupunta dito sakaling pupunta dito. Tingin natin, wala itong basehan, wala itong legal na basehan dahil wala naman itong lalabagin na batas sakali. Sakali na pupunta dito ang ICC, it will be properly coordinated naman," Castro said.
Castro also recalled that both Marcos, Jr. and Enrile backed the country's decision to join the ICC as senators.
"Noong 2011, nung pinirmahan 'yung Rome Statute ng Senado, miyembro ng Senado si Enrile at si Pangulong Marcos, Jr. na siyang pumirma doon sa ating pagiging member ng ICC," Castro said.
Makabayan bloc, Kabataan Party-list, ACT Teachers Partylist, Bongbong Marcos, ICC, International Criminal Court, drug war, war on drugs, ANC, ANC promo