Garma meets with ICC officials in Malaysia - Remulla
Metro Manila, Philippines - Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed that drug war whistleblower and former police officer Royina Garma left for Malaysia on Sunday, Sept. 7, to meet with officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) earlier reported that Garma left on Sunday evening with an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) issued for her.
“Si Garma ay umalis kahapon patungong Malaysia at doon nakipagpulong sa mga kinatawan ng ICC,” Remulla said on Monday, Sept 8.
[Translation: Garma left yesterday for Malaysia where she met with ICC representatives.]
Remulla said Garma has been coordinating with the ICC as part of its ongoing investigation on alleged crimes against humanity for murder during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
“Alam naman natin na bahagi ito ng proseso ng ICC. Kung may gustong magbigay ng kanilang testimonya, hindi natin sila mapipigilan,” he said.
[Translation: We know this is part of the ICC process. If someone wants to give their testimony, we cannot prevent them.]
Garma’s testimony
Garma had earlier testified before Congress, where she said the so-called “Davao Death Squad” was “common knowledge” among police officers. She also directly implicated Duterte, claiming he instituted a cash reward system to sustain the anti-drug campaign, patterned after the so-called “Davao model.”
She said a national task force based on this model provided cash incentives, operational funding, and reimbursements for police units carrying out the campaign. The Duterte camp denied the allegations.
“Hindi tayo makikialam sa kung ano ang magiging desisyon ng ICC,” Remulla added.
[Translation: We will not interfere with whatever decision the ICC makes.]
The Philippines officially withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC, in 2019. However, the court has ruled it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member.
Duterte is detained at The Hague, Netherlands. His confirmation hearing is on Sept. 23.
