A member of the House prosecution panel on Monday urged former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte to face the reported arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) upon their return from an event organized by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Hong Kong.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel and chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said both Dutertes, as lawyers, should understand that facing the allegations head-on is the best way to clear their names.
“I don’t think I’m in the position to advise them pero tingin ko parehas naman po silang abogado at sinasabi nila wala naman po silang kinalaman dito so kung totoo naman po ang paniniwala nila na wala silang kinalaman dito, siguro mas maganda na harapin po nila ito ng sa ganun maipahayag po nila yung kanilang side,” Chua said in response to a reporter’s question during a press conference.
He stressed that legal proceedings at the ICC do not automatically mean guilt and that the former president must take this opportunity to defend himself before an impartial tribunal.
“Opo at isumite nila sarili nila para sa ganun ay malinis din ‘yung kanilang mga pangalan,” he added.
Chua also responded to Duterte’s statement in Hong Kong, where he questioned why the ICC was going after him for his war on drugs. Duterte had claimed, “Anong kasalanan ko? Ginawa ko naman ang lahat sa panahon ko para may konting katahimikan at magpayapa ang buhay ng Pilipino.”
Chua countered that Duterte’s anti-drug campaign led to numerous extrajudicial killings, many of which involved individuals who were never given the chance to stand trial.
“Unang-una meron tayong tinatawag na rule of law. Pangalawa, kaya siya nililitis ng ICC dahil sa crimes against humanity kung saan libu-libo sa mga kababayan natin ang hindi nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na malitis,” Chua said.
“Dito sa kanilang naging war on drugs, marami ang mga naging biktima ng extrajudicial killing. Ngayon hindi lahat ‘yan involved sa droga. Karamihan dyan puro mga kababayan natin na nasa baba o mga miyembro na masasabi natin na talagang walang kalaban-laban,” he added.
He noted that the ICC’s case is backed by testimonial and documentary evidence pointing to Duterte’s direct involvement in the killings.
“So kung talagang ang purpose natin dyan ay war on drugs, sa dami ng mga nangyari parang nagkaroon ng mass killing noong panahon na ‘yun, so, ito ang naging subject ng ICC,” Chua explained.
He added that if Duterte truly believes he is innocent, he should present his side before the international court.
“Ngayon, kung sa tingin nya wala syang kasalanan, sa tingin ko ito na rin ang pagkakataon para masagot itong mga akusasyon sa kanya sa ICC,” he said.
Chua also pointed out that the Hong Kong event was not an official government function, contradicting claims that the former president and the vice president were meeting with OFWs.
“At kung makikita niyo ang crowd nila doon ang KOJC… So hindi naman po talaga ang OFW na pangkalahatan. It was a set-up program kung saan ang KOJC ang kanilang captured audience,” Chua said.
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