📷 X.com
JUST in case the administration flip-flops and decides not to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the litigation of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a group composed of militant personalities formed an International People’s Tribunal (IPT) for the conduct of hearings on crimes committed under the previous administration.
Among the cases that the IPT intends to delve on include war crimes such as indiscriminate bombardment, massacres, fake surrenders, extrajudicial killings, and red-tagging.
Interestingly, IPT won’t just be going after Duterte as the group hinted at filing cases against the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of the incumbent Philippine President.
“We’re convening this tribunal because the times call for it. The intensity and the scope of armed conflict in the Philippines, the ruthlessness of the atrocities committed by the Philippine government, the severity of the violations on the laws of war, made it imperative to call out and make perpetrators answerable for the outrages against the Filipino people and those who resist oppression and exploitation,” according to IPT co-convenor Atty. Edre Olalia.
“The tribunal…is a parallel or alternative legal or quasi-judicial platform which is a credible and viable alternative to the tedious, complicated, protracted, inadequate, even, status quo-friendly existing legal remedies and legal arenas that do not, essentially and fundamentally, bring true justice to the people.”
Behind the formation of the IPT includes the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) and the Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle (FFPS).
According to Edre, they have already informed both Duterte and Marcos but have yet to receive confirmation or willingness to participate. Results are expected to be out on May 19.
Relatedly, former partylist representative Teddy Casiño clarified the charges under the IPT proceedings have nothing to do with the crimes against humanity filed before the ICC, adding that complainants in the cases being heard by the IPT are mostly families of slain activists, community organizers and farmers.
When asked how it differs with the Philippine courts, former Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao for his part admitted that results of the IPT hearings are enforceable but may be used to fortify cases filed in the judiciary.
“The results of this tribunal could not be executed or enforced by formal or international bodies but let it be a reminder, the documents, findings, the testimonies that we will be presenting are substantial…in proving that the duty-bearers committed these violations,” Casilao noted.
“Their time, their day will come in court sooner or later.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
