Trillanes, Colmenares insist: Sabio withdrawal won’t affect ICC case against Duterte



Former Bayan Muna chair Neri Colmenares, lawyer Jude Sabio and former Sen. Antonio Trillanes / file photo from Google



Former Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares on Wednesday said that Atty. Jude Sabio’s decision to withdraw the complaint he filed against President Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC) will have “no effect” in the international tribunal’s investigation as the case will still continue.

According to Politiko’s report, Colmenares asserted that evidence presented by the families of alleged EJK victims is “very strong.”



“The Preliminary Examination will continue despite Atty. Sabio’s withdrawal because it is not the only case pending in the ICC,” Colmenares reiterated

“Atty. Sabio’s communication was mainly centered on the testimonies of Matobato and Lascanas on Pres. Duterte’s EJK while he was mayor of Davao. His allegations on EJKs after Pres. Duterte became president heavily relied on reports by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International,” he said

The former Bayan Muna lawmaker said that evidences presented by the families were supported by affidavits of witnesses, reports, data from the Philippine National Police as well as the President’s alleged admission.



“On the other hand, the evidence in the case of Rise Up et al vs. Duterte are direct evidence by witnesses and the families of the victims themselves,” Colmenares also noted

“This case is sufficient to assure the continuation of the case and the indictment of Pres. Duterte in the ICC,” he added



Meanwhile, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunced has the same remarks over Sabio’s withdrawal.

“Walang epekto ang gagawing ‘pag-withdraw’ ni Sabio ng ICC case kasi hindi ganun ang proseso ng ICC. Iba ang proseso ng korte sa Pilipinas,” said Trillanes

Trillanes stressed that Sabio only drafted and helped in filing the complaint before the ICC but the case was from the testimonies of Davao Death Squad members Edgar Matobato and Arturo Lascañas.



The ever-critic of the president noted that there are other complaints against Duterte even before, which includes the complaint of his comrade former lawmaker Gary Alejano, filed in 2017.



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