The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened an investigation into former president Rodrigo Duterte following his statements at a House Quad Committee (QuadComm) hearing, Secretary Boying Remulla announced.
“Yes, our task force is doing that. Kakakausap ko lang kanina ‘yung head ng task force,” Remulla said in a media interview, referring to the task force that includes prosecutors and agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)tasked with probing extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte’s war on drugs.
During last week’s QuadComm hearing, Duterte admitted to killing at least six people while mayor of Davao City. He also claimed responsibility for killing several corrupt policemen.
When asked if the DOJ would investigate Duterte’s actions as mayor, Remulla said their investigation could overlap with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) probe into alleged crimes against humanity in the drug war.
“We have to choose our strategy later on. Pag nag-overlap ‘yan sa ICC (if this overlaps with the ICC), we’ll choose our strategy,” the secretary said.
He emphasized that the charges in the Philippines and those pursued by the ICC would be separate.
“What we charge here and what the ICC charges have to be, if possible, will not overlap. Kasi even if we are not members of the ICC, the spirit of complementarity still applies,” said Remulla.IMT
