Former Senator Leila de Lima voiced her willingness to assist and cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) if the case regarding the 'war on drugs' and extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration reaches the trial stage.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan on Thursday, De Lima stated that the ICC has not yet stated if she will be called as a witness, but she is closely monitoring the progress of the investigation being conducted.
"I’m always ready to be a resource person, or witness, o kung ano man ang gugustuhin nung panel, nung prosecutors ‘pag dumating na po sa trial stage kasi ngayon investigation pa lang," De Lima stated.
"Pero naiintindihan naman po natin ‘yung ICC na tumatagal kasi this is a professional group, gusto talagang maniguro. They just don’t accept information without confirming or validating kaya siguro tumatagal," she added.
De Lima further mentioned that, based on the information she has learned, the ICC investigation is in its final stages and is nearing completion.
However, the former senator acknowledged that the Philippines' non-membership in the ICC presents a challenge in conducting investigations and executing arrests once warrants are issued.
The Philippines formally ended its membership in the ICC in 2019 by withdrawing from the Rome Statute, the international treaty that established the court, a move initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
With this, it remains uncertain whether the arrest warrant, once issued by the ICC's pre-trial chamber, will be enforced immediately or encounter delays.
"Syempre first kailangan muna mag-issue ng warrant of arrest and then we don’t know kung ma-eenforce kaagad ‘yan or made-delay ‘yung enforcement kasi madali ang mag-issue ng warrant of arrest kung talagang makukumbinsi ‘yung pre-trial chamber ng ICC," said De Lima.
"As to whether maeenforce kaagad ‘yan is another matter," she added.
De Lima mentioned that the ICC may request assistance from Interpol for the enforcement of the arrest warrant.
Furthermore, Interpol would then seek the cooperation of Philippine authorities, and the country would have no choice but to comply, as it remains a member of Interpol.
Meanwhile, De Lima disclosed that, according to available information, self-confessed hitmen and former members of the Davao Death Squad, Edgar Matobato and Arturo Lascañas, are currently under the protective custody of the ICC.
The two individuals went public to expose the alleged kill orders issued by former President Duterte.
"Now, nasa ibang bansa sila. Hindi ko po alam kung magkaparehong bansa ‘yung tinitirhan nung dalawa," said De Lima.
"It doesn’t mean na nandoon sila mismo sa Den Haag. It could be in another foreign and undisclosed country," she added.
