By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the recent revelation of an ex-Davao Death Squad (DDS) hitman on the alleged extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in Davao City perpetrated by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the involvement of his daughter Sara, the ICC may issue a warrant of arrest against them.
“The ICC may issue a warrant, but its enforcement in Philippines territory is another matter,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said on Thursday.
The SolGen stressed that the cooperation of the Philippine government is crucial.
Former Davao Senior Police Officer Arturo “Arthur” Lascañas, an alleged member of the original dreaded DDS, recently accused the Vice President of orchestrating “Oplan Tokhang” in Davao City during her stint as mayor in 2012.
Guevarra explained that the issuance of a warrant is based on the ICC pre-trial chamber’s assessment of the existence of a reasonable ground that a person has committed a crime.
He said the ICC prosecutor must investigate evidence that is both “incriminating and exonerating.”
“In other words, his investigation must be free from bias and prejudice; otherwise, it is insufficient for the issuance of a warrant,” Guevarra said.
VP Sara earlier said she would only face any accusations linking her to the DDS before a Philippine court.
She claimed that it was only when she was elected vice president that her name was linked to the controversial group.
(el Amigo/MNM)