ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro
FOLLOWING revelations made by former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro has called for the filing of charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte for alleged “incentivized” killings during his drug war. Castro, a senatorial aspirant, believes that Garma’s testimony underscores a systematic approach to incentivizing killings, leading to the deaths of thousands of Filipinos under the guise of the war on drugs.
Garma’s Testimony and the “Davao Model”
Garma, a retired police colonel, testified before the House quad-committee that Duterte sought her help in expanding the “Davao model” of the drug war on a nationwide scale when he was elected president in 2016.
This model, implemented during Duterte’s time as Davao City mayor, allegedly involved offering cash rewards for each drug suspect killed. Castro argues that this “reward system” is a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law.
Calls for Justice and Accountability
Castro emphasizes the urgent need for accountability, calling on authorities to pursue charges against Duterte and all those implicated in the alleged state-sanctioned atrocities. She also supports the calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Duterte and his associates, echoing the sentiments of rights groups like Karapatan.
Castro believes that justice must be served for the victims and their families who continue to suffer in silence. She emphasizes the need to prevent such dark chapters in Philippine history from repeating, calling for an end to the culture of impunity. Holding those in power accountable for their actions is crucial to achieving this goal.
Support for ICC Probe and Calls for Cooperation
Another Makabayan solon, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, has also called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cooperate with the ICC in its investigation of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) related to the drug war. During the same quad-committee hearing, relatives of victims of the drug war EJKs shared their heartbreaking stories, highlighting the need for international intervention.
Former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares, a human rights lawyer, emphasized the difficulty in pursuing justice domestically due to the lack of evidence and reluctance of authorities to investigate. He believes that the ICC, backed by the United Nations, offers a crucial avenue for seeking justice. Colmenares, who has been cooperating with the ICC probe, stated that perpetrators often leave no evidence, making it difficult to build cases within the Philippines.
Duterte’s Immunity and Potential for Further Complaints
Castro’s call for charges against Duterte comes at a time when the former president no longer enjoys immunity from suits. Lawyer Antonio La Viña, a counsel for Castro, pointed out that Duterte’s immunity ended on June 30, 2022, opening the door for criminal and civil charges.
La Viña believes that the families of drug war victims may have been hesitant to file cases due to ongoing proceedings before the ICC. However, with Duterte’s immunity now gone, they may be more inclined to pursue legal action domestically.
