Zarate: Nothing to rejoice about on suspension of ICC probe of drug killings

The Duterte administration has nothing to rejoice about following the decision of the International Criminal Court to suspend its probe into reported killings of thousands of drug suspects during the bloody war on drugs launched by President Rodrigo Duterte.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said those responsible to the alleged mass murder should understand that the ICC decision was a mere move to grant the Philippine government due process.

“Those responsible for this bloody crime against humanity should not rejoice as yet; the so-called suspension is merely part of the ICC procedure to afford due process to the Philippine government- the same due process denied to thousands of ordinary Filipinos slaughtered in Duterte’s war on drugs,” said Zarate in a statement.

Earlier, the ICC chief prosecutor announced that it was suspending the investigation upon the request of the Philippine government.

The court documents released by the international court indeed supports this, with the Duterte government’s making the request for deferment on Nov. 10.

“The prosecution has temporarily suspended its investigative activities while it assesses the scope and effect of the deferral request,” ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan stated.

Zarate, a human rights lawyer, said he is confident the ICC will eventually pursue its probe and find government at fault.

“We are certain that the ICC Prosecutor will eventually rule that the so-called domestic accountability mechanism that is supposed to be functioning is a big farce!” he said.

“For instance, of the more than 6,000 officially acknowledged killings during anti-drug operations since July 1, 2016, how come only 52 are being investigated? Why only now, after the Philippines already withdrew from the Rome Statute and after it refuse to acknowledge the ICC jurisdiction?” the opposition leader pointed out.

He added: “Also, how can the victims seek accountability when Pres. Duterte, the principal respondent, is himself immune from domestic suit?” “These are just some of the points that the ICC Prosecutor, we trust, will see as he continue to evaluate the merit of the case,” said Zarate.