Duterte's arrest is coming; the ICC investigation is complete - Trillanes

Manila, Philippines — On Sunday, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV declared that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had finished its preliminary investigation in the Philippines and had gathered enough proof against former president Rodrigo Duterte. Trillanes indicated that a warrant for Duterte's arrest could be issued "very, very soon."

Photo: Screenshot from Inquirer.net YouTube Channel

Citing "inside information" regarding the activities of the ICC investigators during their visit in December, Trillanes disclosed this information during a media event. The former senator claims that Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa, the principal respondents in the crimes against humanity case, could soon be subject to judicial action.

"If they will come back, this will be for the purpose of obtaining enough evidence for the secondary level of accused or respondents," Trillanes stated.

Trillanes anticipates that the arrest warrants will be issued soon, maybe in the first half of the year, as he feels that the ICC already has the evidence needed against the main respondents.

In response to these allegations, the former president's team vehemently challenged the ICC's authority through the representation of former spokesperson Harry Roque and chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo. Roque contended that the court lacked jurisdiction because the preliminary inquiry took place after the nation withdrew from the ICC.

In agreement, Panelo called Trillanes' remarks "pure chismis [and] fake news," claiming the ICC had no basis for its operations in the country.

In response to allegations of ICC investigators entering the area, Trillanes addressed security concerns and stated that the ICC or local officials may have deliberately concealed information out of concern for their safety. These reports have been made less definite, nevertheless, by contradictory remarks made by immigration officials and the lack of information from the relatives of victims of the drug war.

The principal attorney for the relatives of those killed in Duterte's drug war, Neri Colmenares, highlighted the quality of the evidence presented to the ICC and conveyed optimism for a speedy trial of Duterte and his aides.

Colmenares also mentioned that if the ICC probe is still going on, he might submit an additional affidavit that included "new threats" made by Duterte.

The government's "murky stance" on the ICC inquiry has drawn criticism from the human rights group Karapatan, which said it is disobeying earlier recommendations made by UN special rapporteurs. To prevent alleged human rights violations, Karapatan encouraged the government to stop utilizing events such as the visit of UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan as "window dressing" and instead prioritize international cooperation and put recommendations into action.

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Source/Credits: Trillanes: ICC in PH last Dec; arrest order vs Duterte soon (inquirer.net)

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