Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno File photo by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Atty. Chel Diokno, Akbayan 1st nominee, dared on Friday Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to personally submit the transcript of the Senate blue ribbon’s drug war probe to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“If he genuinely believes that the findings lack substance, he should have no reservations about presenting the transcript to the ICC for their independent assessment,” said Diokno in a tweet.
Article continues after this advertisementDiokno then proceeded to question dela Rosa’s reaction to the Senate’s willingness to provide a copy of the transcript should ICC probers demand.
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(If he is not guilty, he should personally bring an official copy of the transcript to the ICC.)
Article continues after this advertisementSenate President Chiz Esudero earlier said the Senate, without hesitation, would be willing to certify and provide a copy of transcript of the Senate’s probe into Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody drug war should ICC probers ask for one.
Article continues after this advertisement“If someone makes a request with a valid reason for the request, the Senate will not hesitate to certify a copy of the transcript of the hearing conducted in relation to [extrajudicial killings],” Escudero told reporters.
Article continues after this advertisementLikewise, the Senate chief previously said the upper chamber has not received any formal communication from probers of the ICC regarding Duterte’s dreaded anti-drug campaign.
Staunch Duterte critic and former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, for his part, claimed that the transcript of the Senate hearing on the drug war, where Duterte admitted that he kept a “death squad” to crack down on suspects, was sent to the ICC.
Article continues after this advertisementMeanwhile, being Duterte’s former top cop, dela Rosa was also the chief implementer of the former president’s brutal Oplan Tokhang — which landed him on the roster of Duterte administration officials who were accused of crimes against humanity by drug war victims-families before the International Criminal Court.
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