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| 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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