CHR ought to be circumspect amid readiness to help ICC vs Duterte – Abella

April 26, 2017

The Commission on Human Rights needs to be more circumspect amid its readiness to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in the complaint filed against President Rodrigo Duterte by a Filipino lawyer, Malacanang said on Thursday. In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella reiterated the case filed by lawyer Jude Sabio against Duterte before the ICC has no basis. "The Commission on Human Rights has a mandate to perform which the Executive Department respects," Abella said. "However, the communication filed to the International Criminal Court against President Duterte is based on untenable grounds, which CHR ought to be circumspect about," Abella said. CHR chair Chito Gascon said that his office was ready to cooperate with the ICC if it seeks assistance in relation to the complaint filed against Duterte, a news report said. Sabio, in his complaint, alleged Duterte for committing crime against humanity for the deaths of more than 9,400 individuals due to his war on illegal drugs during his stint as mayor of Davao City and since he became president in June last year. "While certain sectors remain pre-occupied with the issue of deaths under investigation, which they attempt to connect with the Administration; the President on the other hand remains undistracted in his three-pronged goal of bringing prosperity to all, restoring a trustworthy government, and achieving long-lasting peace. The Filipino people deserve no less," Abella said. (Celerina Monte/DMS)