A lawyer assisting the complainants in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) case against former president Rodrigo Duterte believes that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is spreading hearsay about the alleged presence of ICC investigators in the country.
Atty. Kristina Conti, assistant counsel to the complainants, does not believe Dela Rosa’s claim that ICC investigators are in the country pressuring retired and active police officers to sign affidavits that would implicate him and Duterte in the crimes against humanity cases.
In an interview with Brigada News FM Manila, Conti said it is unlikely to happen, especially since the ICC framework requires that those being interviewed participate voluntarily.
Conti thinks dela Rosa’s statement is likely hearsay.
“Dela Rosa is not a member of the ICC nor a party to its investigation. It’s very unlikely that he would be informed about this information unless he’s the one involved. We should be careful about what he says because it’s likely hearsay,” Conti said.
On the other hand, Conti downplayed the impact of chief prosecutor Karim Khan’s departure from the Duterte case.
Conti said the change in prosecutor for the cases against Duterte at the ICC will have a minimal impact.
Khan stepped down as chief prosecutor due to a pending probe into his alleged sexual misconduct.
Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang took over Khan’s role.
Conti said that no information will be lost in the case, and the ICC’s mandate to bring justice to Duterte’s alleged victims will continue, regardless of who the prosecutor is.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.