By: Jetaime Kaina Cerbito
Nanette Castillo grieves over the body of her son Aldrin after he was killed in October 2017 [File: Noel Celis/AFP], Aljazeera
The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Philippine drug war investigation reignites hope to families seeking justice for extra judicial killing (EJK) victims, while former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa refutes allegations of a reward system for police officers involved on the anti-drug campaign.
The National Union of People’s Lawyers represented by former Bayan Muna party-list congressman Neri Colmenares are cooperating with the ICC’s investigation and claimed difficulty with incriminating EJK perpetrators as they left no traces of their felonies.
According to Colmenares, EJK perpetrators that were identified are mostly police officers who claimed self-defense when they killed the victims.
Duterte withdrew the ICC membership of the Philippines as the international court began its probe and refused to cooperate with the investigation during his tenure.
Meanwhile, the current administration under president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. informed that the government would not cooperate with ICC’s investigation nor would it impede the probe.
The ICC has been actively investigating cases of EJKs in the Philippines since 2017-2018, when allegations of widespread human rights abuses related to the country’s drug war emerged.
In an interview with Sunstar Philippines, “Belinda” shared that she is hopeful with the involvement of the ICC, “The victims of the drug war, especially our relatives, will be given justice.”
Belinda’s uncle died at a 2019 drug raid under former president Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign.
Bato Dela Rosa opposes drug war allegations
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, former PNP chief during the start of former president Duterte’s term of office, denied allegations of a reward system for police officers during the anti-drugs campaign.
The said reward system was adapted from the “Davao Model” that was used in Davao City which involved a tiered system based on the drug personalities killed, and in turn will incur a reward to the police officers, according to former police colonel Royina Garma.
“During my time as the chief, PNP, I did not engage in a reward system because I had no funds for that.” Sen. Bato stated.
Garma’s testimonies alleged that in May 2016, former president Duterte called her to recommend a police officer that would implement the said “Davao Model” on a national level.
Meanwhile, Sen. Bato expressed that he is not knowledgeable about the reward system and he is uncertain about the motivations behind Garma’s decision to testify those allegations before the House of Representatives.