DOJ to protect witnesses in Duterte ICC case

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

This was after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that three witnesses are now under government protection following a request from the ICC. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – The government will protect witnesses in the case against former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

This was after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that three witnesses are now under government protection following a request from the ICC.

“The government has to protect the people. Whether they are witnesses for the ICC or the general populace, we try to protect the people,” Remulla said in an interview with reporters.

He said other individuals may be placed under the witness protection program.

“Basta may coordination lang tayo pag may mga problema, we bridge the gaps. Para lang (So long as there is coordination if there’s a problem, we bridge the gaps. Just) to make sure that the witnesses are fine and they’re functioning properly. At least, nali-lessen ang threats sa buhay nila (the threats to their lives are lessened),” he said.

Remulla added that the move does not necessarily translate into a reversal of the government’s position that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC.

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, in 2019 during the Duterte administration.

He said the government has chosen to let the ICC pursue the case against Duterte as the crimes allegedly committed by the former leader took place before the country’s withdrawal.

It is also very difficult to build up and prove the case if the cases are pursued here, Remulla said.

“We want to help everybody. Yung problema nga dito yung how to prove the cases kasi nga police report pa lang wala na – wala kang scene of the crime, wala kang ballistics, wala kang DNA (The problem here is how to prove the cases because even the police reports are gone – no scene of the crime, no ballistics, no DNA). We have to recreate, do a case buildup again,” he said.

“It’s not very easy kaya nga umabot sa ICC ito eh kasi dito binura na lahat ng pwedeng burahin para di matuloy ang mga kaso. Kaya nga mabuti ang ICC, nakakuha pa sila ng mga testigo na magpapatunay sa kaso na finile (that’s why it reached the ICC because everything here that could be erased to prevent the case from pushing through have been erased. The ICC is better off, it has gotten hold of witnesses to prove the cases filed).”

When asked if the cooperation means that the Philippines may return to the ICC, Remulla said the decision would have to be made “as a country.”

“It’s another decision that we will have to make as a country. It (cooperation) does not mean that (rejoining). But it just means that we recognize the ICC in charge of the case,” he said.