MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer representing families of victims from the drug war intends to present documents to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This action follows an inquiry by a House committee investigating ties between Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) and the country’s anti-drug campaign.
Neri Colmenares, a human rights lawyer, expressed the intention to gather evidence that may reveal connections between the operations of Pogos and human rights violations during the drug war. The inquiry by the House committee is examining the implications of Pogos that could potentially contribute to or facilitate activities related to the drug trade.
Colmenares emphasized that these documents could provide crucial evidence supporting claims of unlawful killings and other abuses linked to the drug war. He stated that the information from the House committee’s investigation could aid the ICC in determining whether or not to pursue further investigations into the situation in the Philippines.
The investigation into Pogos has gained attention amid widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations associated with the Philippine government’s anti-drug policies. Activists and human rights advocates have long criticized the government’s approach to the drug problem, which they argue has resulted in thousands of unnecessary deaths.
Colmenares is working with several families affected by the drug war who are seeking justice for their loved ones. They believe that accountability is necessary to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. By submitting documents to the ICC, the families hope to draw international attention to the ongoing issues in the Philippines related to drug-related violence and its implications for human rights.
The ICC has already conducted preliminary examinations of the drug war in the Philippines. Human rights groups reported thousands of extrajudicial killings since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in 2016, with many victims being accused of drug-related offenses without due process.
