Ni Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service
Hinala ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, kinasuhan si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa International Criminal Court upang ipahiya ito sa mga lider ng iba’t ibang bansa na magtutungo sa Pilipinas upang dumalo sa Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit ngayong buwan.
Ayon pa kay Lacson, kung ang reklamong isinampa ni Atty. Jude Sabio ay nakabatay lang sa testimonya ng kanyang kliyente at self-confessed hitman na si Edgar Matobato, ito ay “as good as without merit.”
Si Matobato ang humarap sa Senado nitong nakaraang taon at nagsabing si Duterte ay may kinalaman sa diumanong pagpatay ng mga kriminal ng tinatawag niyang Davao Death Squad.
Pinuna noon ng ilang mga senador ang mga pahayag ni Matobato dahil umano sa mga inconsistencies.
“Polluted source”
“Based on my own personal assessment as the presiding chairman of the Senate investigation that heard Matobato’s testimony, if he is Atty. Sabio’s main witness against (Duterte) et al, or worse, the only witness, being a polluted source and a perjured witness at that, I am almost certain that the complaint is as good as without merit,” wika ni Lacson.
Iginiit ng senador na chairman ng committee on public order and dangerous drugs na hearsay din ang mga paratang ng retiradong pulis na si SP03 Arturo Lascanas.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Lascanas noong humarap siya sa Senado nitong nakaraang taon na hindi totoo ang mga paratang ni Matobato.
Subalit nitong Pebrero, humarap siya sa midya at binawi ang mga nauna na niyang sinabi.
May mga requirement
“Those behind the filing of the complaint before the ICC should satisfy at least two basic requirements – that the national courts, meaning our (regional trial courts) and even the Supreme Court are unwilling or unable to prosecute those being charged, or when the (United Nations) Security Council or individual states refer the case/s to the ICC,” sabi ni Lacson.
“In order to determine if the ICC will give due course to the complaint filed by Atty. Sabio, let us ask ourselves if these requirements or conditions are met, then we can draw our conclusion from there. I would like to believe that it is going to be a tall order, even a disappointment for people who wish that the ICC take jurisdiction over (Duterte) and other individuals charged in this instant case,” dagdag pa niya.
