Palace: Duterte govt not behind killings of activists in PH

MALACANANG denied that President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration were involved in the recent murders of activists in the country.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. made the statement after partylist group Bayan Muna urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to file criminal complaints against Duterte for the recent spate of activist killings.

In a statement, Roque said the government  denounced any violence against activists but insisted the allegations linking state forces to the recent murders were “unfounded.”

He also maintained that the investigation into the deaths of rights activists Randall Echanis and Zara Alvarez was ongoing and that it would be prudent to wait for the results.

“We denounce any form of violence perpetuated against citizens, including activists. We are a nation of laws; and violence has no place in any civilized society,” Roque said.

“Blaming state forces as the people behind these murders is unfounded as investigation on the killings of Randall Enchanis and Zara Alvarez is now underway. Let us wait for the formal report from the authorities,” he added.

On Wednesday, Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares urged the ICC to investigate Duterte, saying the death of Alvarez and other incidents could be blamed on the President and his administration.

“We urge the International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensoda to file the case against Pres. Duterte in the International Criminal Court so that a warrant of arrest can immediately be issued against him,” Colmenares said in a statement.

“President Rodrigo Duterte is ultimately accountable for publicly threatening human rights activists and practically ordering their killings. Despite his cowardly denial of his involvement in extrajudicial killings he has not publicly withdrawn his threats against activists nor ordered the perpetrators to stop the killings,” he added.

Source: TheManila Times