AS FORMER President Rodrigo Roa Duterte faces arrest and trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), House leaders on Wednesday called on the public to shift attention away from him and instead remember the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during his administration’s violent war on drugs.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jude A. Acidre of Tingog Party-list stressed that the case before the ICC is about justice for the victims, not about persecuting Duterte.
“Well, palagi nating sinasabi, we’ve been consistently repeating it, etong nangyari kahapon, ang pag-aresto kay dating Pangulong Duterte … sana ituon natin ‘yung pansin natin hindi kay Presidente Duterte kung hindi doon sa mga biktima ng EJK. Napakarami po, napakarami po nila,” Acidre said.
He recalled the names of several young victims of EJKs, including Kian Delos Santos, a 17-year-old student from Caloocan, Carlo Angelo Arnaiz, a 19-year-old UP student, and 14-year-old Renato “Kulot” De Guzman from Nueva Ecija who were all killed in the bloody drug war.
“Sinasabi nila na we surrender daw our sovereignty sa pagka-aresto ni former President Duterte dahil sa ICC warrant. Pero hindi ba mas nakakalungkot na kailangang isang korte sa labas ng bansa pa ang mag-utos para magkaroon ng hustisya yung mga EJK victims?” Acidre added.
Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union echoed the call, emphasizing that justice for the victims should be at the center of discussions.
“Itong mga taong namatay ng walang rason, pinagbabansagan sila na collateral damage lang. This is a story of justice, kuwento po ito ng hustisya, itong mga nangyayari ngayon,” Ortega said.
He expressed confidence that more individuals would come forward with testimonies now that justice is within reach.
“Sigurado ‘yun mas lalong may mga taong magco-come forward saka yung mga tao sigurong mas takot dati, medyo nawawala na ‘yung takot nila at ‘yun nga ‘yung iba naman kinakain na ng konsensya eh,” he added.
House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon of Ako Bicol Party-list pointed out that Duterte’s war on drugs lacked thorough and comprehensive investigation under his administration, which is why victims sought international intervention.
“If we really observe what happened during the past administration, there was no thorough and comprehensive investigation about the EJKs. In fact, one of the actions taken by the House of Representatives is the investigation about the EJKs, the drugs, the POGO and other controversies,” Bongalon said.
He noted that key figures such as former police official Jovie Espenido had already testified before the House’s investigations, and with Duterte’s arrest, more witnesses could come forward.
Acidre underscored that Duterte is not being politically persecuted but is being held accountable for his actions.
“Gusto kong maintindihan ng ating mga kababayan, itong pangyayaring ito, hindi natin ginigipit si dating Pangulong Duterte. Sinisingil lang sya ng taong bayan,” Acidre said.
He also recalled how a former Philippine National Police chief dismissed the deaths of children caught in the crossfire, saying only “shit happens.”
“Ganoon klaseng bansa ba tayo? Ang tingin natin sa mga napapatay, ni hindi nga naimbestigahan, ni hindi nga nabigyan ng katarungan at ngayon sasabihin natin, political ang lahat to, na shit happens lang to?” he asked
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