A rights watchdog in the Philippines will investigate President Rodrigo Duterte’s claims that he killed criminals while serving as mayor of the city of Davao, the BBC reported on Wednesday. The Philippines Commission on Human Rights will also probe reports which claim that “death squads” killed several hundred people in the city.

The Commission’s head Chito Gascon said that while Duterte was immune from prosecution while serving as president, it was important to “have a record and documentation [of events]” for the purpose of preserving any available evidence. A previous investigation into the killings in Davao in 2012 had not found any evidence against Duterte even though the Commission had recommended charges against him “under the doctrine of command responsibility”, Gascon said.

On December 12, the president reportedly told businessmen that he murdered suspects to “show the guys [the police] that if I can do it, why can’t you?”. “I was really looking for a confrontation so I could kill,” he said. Earlier in 2015, he had said that he had killed at least three men suspected of kidnapping and rape in Davao.

On Tuesday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein had said the Philippines should investigate Duterte’s claims. The UN official had said the killings would “clearly constitute murder”. “It should be unthinkable for any functioning judicial system not to launch investigative and judicial proceedings when someone has openly admitted being a killer,” he said. </s> The Philippines’ independent human rights watchdog says it will investigate President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission that he killed three suspected criminals while he was mayor of Davao, after the UN’s human rights chief called for a murder probe.

The chief of the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights, Jose Gascon, said he has formed a team of investigators to look into the matter.

“Law enforcement agencies... must investigate as a matter of course any information that suggests that a crime may have been committed with the view to ensuring that perpetrators are ultimately held accountable should the evidence warrant it,” Gascon said in a statement released on Thursday, as quoted by AFP.

He went on to state that the commission has “reconstituted a team to further investigate” allegations that, while serving as mayor of Davao, Duterte ran death squads that killed more than 1,000 petty criminals. The commission had previously looked into the matter, but did not file any criminal charges.

Gascon said the new team will “look into any matter that may further shed light on the killings in Davao that was the subject matter of our previous investigation.”

The Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights is an independent government body that prosecutes law enforcement officers or other officials who carry out torture or extrajudicial killings, or violate the constitutional rights Filipino citizens.

Gascon’s remarks come just a day after the UN’s high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, said that Duterte should be investigated for murder.

“The killings committed by Mr. Duterte, by his own admission... clearly constitute murder,” Hussein said in a statement on Wednesday. “It should be unthinkable for any functioning judicial system not to launch investigative and judicial proceedings when someone has openly admitted being a killer,” he added.

Duterte first said that he had killed at least three men suspected of kidnapping and rape in Davao in 2015, the year before he was elected president.

The president repeated the claim that he had “personally” killed suspected criminals during a speech earlier this month.

“In Davao, I used to do it personally,” he said. “Just to show the guys that, if I can do it, why can’t you?”

“And I’d go around in Davao with a motorcycle, with a big bike around, and I would just patrol the streets, looking for trouble also. I was really looking for a confrontation so I could kill,” he said.



Duterte, who came to power in May on a promise to eradicate illegal drugs in the Philippines, has been sharply criticized by the US, the European Union, and the United Nations for carrying out a violent “war on drugs,” which has led to the deaths of more than 4,500 people.

However, Duterte has vowed to continue the campaign as long as he is president, denying that it violates human rights, while firing back at those who disapprove.

His list of critics includes outgoing US President Barack Obama. Duterte even admitted earlier this month that he had faked an illness during the recent APEC summit to avoid meeting Obama, who he had previously called a “son of a b**ch/whore” and told to “go to hell.”

In November, Duterte lashed out at European lawyers, saying that they have “brains like a pea,” while asserting that Western courts are “bulls**t.”

Moreover, in September, Duterte called UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon a “devil” and accused the EU of condemning his war on drugs “in atonement” for its own sins, delivering a “f**k you” message to the 28-member bloc. </s> Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is to be investigated by an independent human rights group after he admitted killing three criminals years ago.

Mr Duterte said last week he had helped police kill three suspected kidnappers while he was mayor of the southern city of Davao.

The United Nations Human Rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, called for an investigation in the Philippines, saying the killings “clearly constitute murder”.

Now, the head of the country’s Commission on Human Rights, Jose Gascon, says he has formed a team of investigators to look into the matter.

“Law enforcement agencies… must investigate as a matter of course any information that suggests that a crime may have been committed with the view to ensuring that perpetrators are ultimately held accountable should the evidence warrant it,” Mr Gascon said in a statement.

Mr Duterte’s spokesman, Ernesto Abella, dismissed the UN call as “opinion”, and said the story about the killing of three people referred to “legitimate police action”.

But he did not address the fact that the then mayor was not a police officer.

Mr Duterte has been waging a tough campaign against drug dealers since winning the presidency.

More than 5,300 people have died since he took office in June, including 2,124 at the hands of the police.

Mr Duterte has insisted police have not violated any law by killing drug suspects.

The commission is an independent government body which can prosecute law enforcers or other officials who commit torture or extrajudicial killings, or violate constitutional rights.

It has already investigated Mr Duterte’s time as mayor of Davao after allegations he ran death squads that killed more than 1,000 petty criminals.

At various stages, Mr Duterte has denied and confirmed the allegations.

After completing its inquiry, the commission did not file any criminal charges. </s> The Philippines independent human rights watchdog said today it will investigate President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission he killed three criminals years ago, after the United Nation’s rights chief called for a murder probe. Duterte, who is waging an anti-drugs war that has left thousands dead, said last week that he helped police kill three suspected kidnappers early in the first of his several terms as mayor of the southern city of Davao.

WATCH WHAT ELSE IS IN THE NEWS

UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said Tuesday that Duterte’s killings, by his own admission, “clearly constitute murder” and Philippine judicial authorities must launch an investigation. Commission on Human Rights chief Jose Gascon said he has formed a team of investigators to look into the matter, even as Duterte’s spokesman Ernesto Abella dismissed the UN call as mere “opinion”.

“Law enforcement agencies…must investigate as a matter of course any information that suggests that a crime may have been committed with the view to ensuring that perpetrators are ultimately held accountable should the evidence warrant it,” Gascon said in a statement. The commission is an independent government body that prosecutes law enforcers or other officials who commit torture, extrajudicial killings or violate Filipinos’ constitutional rights.

The commission had investigated then Davao mayor Duterte over allegations he ran death squads that killed more than a thousand petty criminals there. Duterte has variously denied or confirmed the allegations. The commission did not file any criminal charges after completing its inquiry.

Gascon said his agency has “reconstituted a team to further investigate (Davao death squads) to look into the new revelations and public admissions that may shed light on our previous findings.” “The team will look into any matter that may further shed light on the killings in Davao that was the subject matter of our previous investigation.”

Duterte easily won presidential elections in May largely on a promise to eradicate illegal drugs in society by launching an unprecedented campaign in which tens of thousands of people would be killed. More than 5,300 people have died since he took office in late June, including 2,124 at the hands of police. The commission has said it is investigating several cases where police were responsible. Duterte insists police have not violated any law in killing drug suspects. </s> MANILA: The Philippines Rodrigo independent human rights watchdog said on Thursday it will investigate President Rodrigo Duterte's admission he killed three criminals years ago, after the United Nation's rights chief called for a murder probe. Duterte, who is waging an anti-drugs war that has left thousands dead, said last week that he helped police kill three suspected kidnappers early in the first of his several terms as mayor of the southern city of Davao.

Start the conversation, or Read more at The Star Online. </s> Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a visit in Tarlac city in northern Philippines December 11, 2016. — Reuters picMANILA, Dec 22 — The Philippines’ independent rights watchdog said today it will investigate President Rodrigo Duterte’s boasts he killed criminals years ago, invoking a strong rebuke from the Filipino leader against a United Nations official who called for the murder probe.

Duterte, who is waging an anti-drugs war that has left thousands dead, said last week that he helped police kill three suspected kidnappers early in the first of his several terms as mayor of the southern city of Davao.

UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said Tuesday that Duterte’s killings, by his own admission, “clearly constitute murder” and Philippine judicial authorities must launch an investigation.

Duterte, known for his foul-mouthed outbursts, replied to Zeid’s call in a speech today with a stream of insults, describing the UN official as “either a joker or slightly unhinged” while stating that UN member-nations’ contributions pay the UN officials’ salaries.

“You, the officials sitting there. You assholes, we pay you your salary.

“You idiot, you do not tell me what to do. I am your employer and (you) do that, do it to a nation.”

“You do not talk to me like that you son of a bitch. Only the Filipinos can call me a son of a bitch if I’m remiss in my job.”

Philippine Commission on Human Rights chief Jose Gascon said earlier today he had formed a team of investigators to look into alleged past killings by Duterte.

“Law enforcement agencies... must investigate as a matter of course any information that suggests that a crime may have been committed with the view to ensuring that perpetrators are ultimately held accountable should the evidence warrant it,” Gascon said in a statement.

The commission is an independent government body that prosecutes law enforcers or other officials who commit torture, extrajudicial killings or violate Filipinos’ constitutional rights.

It had investigated then Davao mayor Duterte over allegations he ran death squads that killed more than a thousand petty criminals there.

Duterte has variously denied or confirmed the allegations. The commission did not file any criminal charges after completing its inquiry.

But Gascon said his agency had “reconstituted a team to further investigate (Davao death squads) to look into the new revelations and public admissions that may shed light on our previous findings.”

“The team will look into any matter that may further shed light on the killings in Davao that was the subject matter of our previous investigation.”

Duterte easily won presidential elections in May largely on a promise to eradicate illegal drugs in society by launching an unprecedented campaign in which tens of thousands of people would be killed.

More than 5,300 people have died since he took office in late June, including 2,124 at the hands of police. The commission has said it is investigating several cases where police were responsible.

Duterte insists police have not violated any law in killing drug suspects.

Yesterday, Duterte’s spokesman said his admission about the killing of three people referred to “legitimate police action” but did not address the fact the then mayor was not a police officer. — AFP </s> The Philippines independent human rights watchdog said Thursday it will investigate President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission he killed three criminals years ago, after the United Nation’s rights chief called for a murder probe.

Duterte, who is waging an anti-drugs war that has left thousands dead, said last week that he helped police kill three suspected kidnappers early in the first of his several terms as mayor of the southern city of Davao.

UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said Tuesday that Duterte’s killings, by his own admission, “clearly constitute murder” and Philippine judicial authorities must launch an investigation.

Commission on Human Rights chief Jose Gascon said he has formed a team of investigators to look into the matter, even as Duterte’s spokesman Ernesto Abella dismissed the UN call as mere “opinion”.

“Law enforcement agencies… must investigate as a matter of course any information that suggests that a crime may have been committed with the view to ensuring that perpetrators are ultimately held accountable should the evidence warrant it,” Gascon said in a statement.

The commission is an independent government body that prosecutes law enforcers or other officials who commit torture, extrajudicial killings or violate Filipinos’ constitutional rights.

The commission had investigated then Davao mayor Duterte over allegations he ran death squads that killed more than a thousand petty criminals there.

Duterte has variously denied or confirmed the allegations. The commission did not file any criminal charges after completing its inquiry.

Gascon said his agency has “reconstituted a team to further investigate (Davao death squads) to look into the new revelations and public admissions that may shed light on our previous findings.”

“The team will look into any matter that may further shed light on the killings in Davao that was the subject matter of our previous investigation.”

Duterte easily won presidential elections in May largely on a promise to eradicate illegal drugs in society by by launching an unprecedented campaign in which tens of thousands of people would be killed.

More than 5,300 people have died since he took office in late June, including 2,124 at the hands of police. The commission has said it is investigating several cases where police were responsible.

Duterte insists police have not violated any law in killing drug suspects.

On Wednesday Abella said Duterte’s admission about the killing of three people referred to “legitimate police action” but did not address the fact the then mayor was not a police officer.

Duterte has said he routinely carried a gun during his early years as mayor of Davao to protect himself from crime. He has not said if the weapon used in the ambush was licensed.

This post was syndicated from The Guardian NigeriaThe Guardian Nigeria. Click here to read the full text on the original website.

Also, Like us on facebook </s> Noel Celis, AFP | An alleged drug dealer is handcuffed during a police operation conducted in Manila on March 15, 2018. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced Wednesday a move towards quitting the ICC, which has launched a preliminary examination.

Philippine police said Thursday they had shot dead 13 drug suspects, just days after President Rodrigo Duterte moved to take the country out of the International Criminal Court over its inquiry into his deadly drug war.

Advertising Read more

The suspects were killed Wednesday in the northern province of Bulacan, an official statement said, an area where police have previously launched lethal crackdowns on illegal drugs.

"Bulacan police are continuously and relentlessly implementing their intensified campaign against illegal drugs," the statement said, adding there had been more than 100 arrests.

The war crimes tribunal, based in The Hague, last month launched a preliminary inquiry into Duterte's bloody crackdown on narcotics, amid allegations Philippine security forces may have committed crimes against humanity.

Killings are 'systematic and widespread', says HRW's Carlos Conde

Philippine police have said they have killed roughly 4,100 suspects who fought back during arrest, but rights groups allege the actual number is three times higher and accuse the authorities of murder.

"The president himself has denied access to the special rapporteur and has launched a vicious attack against the United Nations and the rapporteur, Agnès Callamard, undermining her credibility and discouraging her from investigating these killings,” Carlos Conde, a researcher for Human Rights Watch Asia Division, told FRANCE 24.

'A determined evasion of accountability'

The war crimes tribunal opened in 2002 to try abuses in countries where national courts cannot or will not prosecute. Manila in 2011 ratified the Rome Statute that created the court.

Manila gave official notice to the United Nations last week that it would withdraw, days after Duterte announced his country would quit the court over alleged "baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks" against his government's rights record.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said last Friday the Philippines was pushing back against "the well-orchestrated campaign to mislead the international community, to crucify President Duterte... by distorting the human rights situation in the country".

The tribunal has urged Manila to reconsider its decision, adding that officially quitting the court requires a year's notice and does not preclude its preliminary inquiry into the drug war killings, which have drawn international concern.

Duterte, who is buoyed by high popularity ratings at home, has fiercely defended the drug war as a battle to bring safety to the nation's 100 million people.

He has frequently urged authorities to kill drug suspects while promising to protect police from legal sanction.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP) </s> Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announces the disbandment of police operations against illegal drugs at the Malacanang palace in Manila, Philippines early January 30, 2017. Source: Reuters/Ezra Acayan

PHILIPPINES President Rodrigo Duterte has announced that the Southeast Asian nation will remove itself from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a month after prosecutors from the Hague-based court announced they would be launching a preliminary investigation into his controversial drug war.

In a long statement dated March 13, Duterte said that Philippines would be removing its ratification of the Rome Statute immediately due to “unprecedented and outrageous attacks on my person … engineered by the officials of the United Nations” and a supposed “violation of due process”.

The announcement of the investigation by the ICC was premature and implied he had already been charged for serious crimes, Duterte said.

SEE ALSO: Duterte declares he is a ‘dictator’ as ICC launches investigation into drug war

The president also said UN special rapporteurs – likely referring to Agnes Callamard the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings – had been undertaking a “concerted effort” to paint him as a “ruthless and heartless” violator of human rights.

He has long publicly attacked Callamard, referring to her as a “son of a bitch”, “stupid”, “skinny” and “malnourished”.

In February the International Criminal Court (ICC) officially announced it was launching a preliminary investigation into the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said the body would be looking into extrajudicial killings in the Philippines as part of anti-drug operations.

Duterte’s signature drug war began in June 2016 and has been widely condemned by rights groups, political opponents and the Catholic church in the Philippines.

SEE ALSO: UN rights chief says Duterte needs ‘psychiatric evaluation’

Human Rights Watch estimated earlier in 2018 that more than 12,000 people have been killed by police and plain clothed gunmen since the anti-drug campaign began. Official statistics put the number of dead at around 4000.

Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday that Duterte was simply trying to “run from justice” by pulling out of the Rome Statute and was “a barefaced attempt to shield him and high-ranking officials from possible ICC prosecution”.

Amnesty International Asia Director James Gomez said that “if the Philippines truly believed that the ICC did not have jurisdiction over crimes committed in the country, they should challenge that in the proper way – which is at the ICC. Instead, they have taken the cowardly option of trying to evade justice.”

Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano denied that it was attempt to avoid prosecution by the ICC, however. “To prove that it’s not a way of evading or getting away from consequences or the jurisdiction of ICC … even if we withdraw, our actions back when we’re a member are still covered,” he said as quoted by the state-run Philippine News Agency.

SEE ALSO: CIA, US intel agencies list Duterte, Hun Sen as ‘regional threats’

A month ago, Duterte declared: “do not worry about me. I can face the ICC. If they want to indict me and convict me, fine. I will gladly do it for my country.” He also said he would “love” to be executed by firing squad if found guilty by the ICC. Now, however, the president has changed his tune.

“The preliminary examination by the prosecutor Fatou Besouda unduly and maliciously created, it is apparent that the ICC is being utilised as a political tool against the Philippines,” said Duterte, who claimed the ICC was exhibiting a “clear bias” against himself and his administration.

Filipino lawyer Jude Sabio lodged a complaint with the ICC last April claiming that Duterte had “repeatedly, unchangingly and continuously” committed crimes against humanity. The ICC has only publicly indicted 41 people from thousands of complaints since its inception in 2002.
The Commission on Human Rights launches an investigation into alleged murders committed by current Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte.