By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is tracing personalities linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war in case the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants.
“We are all aware na meron na pinangalanan na co-conspirators, but wala pang warrant of arrest, so wala kaming actionable document. However, we are tracing the people already kung nasaan sila, those named, except for one na namatay na. But we are already tracing them, kung nasaan sila para in the event na kailangan, mas handa na kami kung ano ang gagawin namin (We are all aware that the ICC has named some co-conspirators, but there is still no warrant of arrest, so we don’t have an actionable document. However, we are tracing these people already, those named, except for one who already passed away. But we are already tracing them, so we will be ready if needed),” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said at a press briefing on Tuesday.
Remulla did not name those involved but said records would be completed this week.
“We are getting all the records. We should have them by this week. I think two are abroad, two ang nasa America pero makukuha at makukuha ‘yan (two are in America, but we will get them),” he said.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte faces an ICC probe for alleged crimes against humanity over his anti-drug campaign, which killed thousands and drew criticism from human rights groups.
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has named several current and former officials, including Senators Ronald Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go, former justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, and senior police officials, as co-perpetrators. (PNA)
