Lawyers claim Duterte’s side bullied witnesses at ICC into recanting… WHAT IS THE TRUTH?
Attorneys say tactic from former Philippine president’s supporters will backfire
Lawyers representing potential witnesses in the International Criminal Court case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday at a news conference in The Hague, the Dutch city where the court is based.(Photo by Jens Kastner)
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Potential witnesses in the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte are coming under immense pressure through online harassment and other intimidation to withdraw their testimony, according to lawyers representing them.
However, human rights attorneys told a news conference on Sunday in the Dutch city where the ICC is based and Duterte is being held that the court will not necessarily require witnesses to travel to The Hague. People will also be able to participate anonymously, they added.
Inakusahan ng mga abogado na pinilit ng grupo ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang mga testigo ng International Criminal Court (ICC) na bawiin ang kanilang testimonya. Gayunpaman, itinanggi ng mga nauugnay na opisyal ang mga paratang na ito. Partikular, itinanggi nina National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) director Ricardo de Leon at House representative Elizaldy Co na pinipilit ang mga pulis na tumestigo laban kay Duterte at dating national police chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sa imbestigasyon ng ICC sa kampanya laban sa droga. Iginiit nila na walang pagpupulong na ginanap para hikayatin ang mga pulis na gawin ito. Dagdag pa rito, inaresto si dating Pangulong Duterte sa isang warrant ng ICC kaugnay ng mga krimen laban sa sangkatauhan na ginawa noong kanyang kampanya laban sa droga. Gayunpaman, ang mga paratang ng panggigipit sa mga testigo na bawiin ang kanilang mga pahayag ay hindi pa nakumpirma at kailangan ng karagdagang ebidensya upang mapatunayan ang mga ito.
