Duterte trial brings hope of justice to drug war victims after ICC ruling
Metro Manila, Philippines – Victims of the Duterte administration’s drug war see renewed hope for justice after the International Criminal Court confirmed charges of crimes against humanity against former president Rodrigo Duterte, their lawyers said. In a statement, ICC-listed counsels Joel Butuyan and Gilbert Andres described the ruling as a “big step” toward accountability for families of those killed in the anti-drug campaign. “The victims view the decision as the triumph of their right, under international law, to truth and justice for their murdered loved ones,” they said. They added that the confirmation of charges answers years of prayers for justice. They said the ruling marks the first milestone for victims seeking accountability before the international tribunal, noting that the case sends a strong message that even former heads of state can face prosecution. “The decision sends a strong message to the international community that the international criminal justice system…
Duterte accepts ICC trial, defense team braces for legal battle
Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been informed of the International Criminal Court ruling committing him to trial, with his lead counsel and daughter saying the former leader is accepting the decision even as the defense prepares for the legal battle. Defense lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said he spoke with Duterte by phone to relay the decision, noting that the former president remained “stoical” and immediately raised questions about the evidence presented against him. “He did ask me, you know, what’s the evidence… what’s the evidence to show that they actually committed these murders, which they say I committed?” Kaufman said in an interview. Kaufman criticized the ruling of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber, arguing that the judges failed to cite specific pieces of evidence in their decision confirming the charges. “We argued for at least two and a half days but the judges haven’t even cited one piece…
Marcos schedules Japan state visit in May
Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will undertake a state visit to Japan from May 26 to 29 upon the invitation of the Japanese government, the Presidential Communications Office said Thursday. April 24. Based on the schedule released by the Palace, the president and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will be received by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace for a welcome ceremony, state call, and state banquet. Marcos will also hold a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, where discussions will focus on the future of the Philippines-Japan Strengthened Strategic Partnership. The leaders will also tackle key international developments, particularly on energy and food security, as well as maritime security. The Palace said the president will also engage with Japanese business groups and members of the Filipino community. Former president Benigno Aquino III was the last president who went on a state visit to…
Old, new claims on Sammy Uy bank deposits to Dutertes
Metro Manila, Philippines – It has been a decade since former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV first brought Samuel “Sammy” Uy into public scrutiny, claiming the Davao businessman deposited millions of pesos into bank accounts linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte and his family that form part of alleged undeclared wealth. Trillanes revived these allegations during the House impeachment hearing of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, April 22. This time, Trillanes explicitly and repeatedly described Uy as a “drug lord” who gave a total of ₱181.65 million to members of the Duterte family, including the vice president, the former president and his partner Honeylet Avanceña and daughter Kitty, as well as Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte. The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said in a report that the vice president was “identified as the beneficiary” of check purchases made by Uy and two more people with…
Duterte to face ICC trial, first Asian leader charged with crimes against humanity
Metro Manila, Philippines – Former President Rodrigo Duterte will face trial before the International Criminal Court after judges confirmed all charges against him, making him the first Asian former head of state to be tried by the tribunal for crimes against humanity. In a decision released Thursday, April 23, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber unanimously confirmed three counts of crimes against humanity, including murder and attempted murder, in connection with Duterte’s drug war. The chamber said there were “substantial grounds to believe” that the alleged crimes were committed “as part of a widespread and systematic attack against a civilian population on the territory of the Republic of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign.” The ruling committed Duterte to trial, with the case now set to be transferred to a Trial Chamber that will handle the next phase of…
