The International Criminal Court (ICC) heard further details on Tuesday, February 24, regarding insider witnesses supporting allegations of widespread killings during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. These witnesses, the prosecution stated, appear to have had knowledge of instructions given to police forces during that period.
Targeting the Vulnerable
One witness testified that Oplan Tokhang, the anti-drug campaign, specifically targeted the poor, reasoning they lacked the resources to pursue legal action. Prosecution trial lawyer Edward Jeremy quoted a witness stating, “it was said that the ones that we had to do the TokHang operation on had to be poor – those who do not have the means to file a complaint or to complain.” Witnesses’ identities are being protected, as the ICC denied a defense request to disclose their names.
Allegations of Extrajudicial Killings
The prosecution presented a witness account of the killing of Benjamin Visda, a case previously reported in the media. The witness stated the victim was found dead, handcuffed, with seven or eight gunshot wounds to the head. Police reports claimed Visda was killed in self-defense after allegedly attempting to seize an officer’s firearm even as handcuffed. But, the prosecution asserts, “This narrative is false. Benjamin Visda did not fight back. He was murdered.” Duterte’s former legal advisor, Salvador Panelo, maintained Visda was involved in drugs and “Lalaban ka at lalaban ka (you’ll always fight).”
The ‘PRRD List’ and ‘Neutralization’
A witness alleged that individuals listed on Duterte’s “narco-list,” officially known as the PRRD list, were effectively marked for death. According to the witness, “This list was used by the police in their operations. And if you are in the list, you will be the subject for police operations. And most of the time, the people on the list are killed. So basically, the PRRD list is a dead list.” The prosecution presented an Excel sheet showing the word “neutralized” marked on the record of the late Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa after his death in jail.
While the Duterte administration previously defined “neutralize” as suppressing violence, the prosecution argues that in Espinosa’s case, his death was the determining factor in being labeled as such. A witness further stated that police “used the word neutralize to emphasize the kill order of President Duterte.”
‘Hunting Season’ and Increased Killings
Another insider witness described police operations as a “one time big time drug operation,” referencing an incident in Bulacan in 2017 where 32 people were killed in a single night. The witness quoted stated, “It was hunting season, a killing spree.” Prosecution trial lawyer Robyn Croft presented data from an expert witness showing a 1,600% increase in police killings in Bulacan and a 598% increase nationwide following Duterte’s inauguration, leading the expert to conclude the increase pointed to a widespread policy of extrajudicial executions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the insider witnesses?
References to these witnesses suggest they were privy to instructions given to the police during Duterte’s presidency, providing direct insight into the alleged policy of widespread killings.
What was the alleged purpose of targeting the poor during Oplan Tokhang?
According to a witness statement, the poor were targeted because they were less likely to file complaints against the police.
What is the prosecution’s claim regarding the “PRRD list”?
The prosecution alleges that those on the PRRD list were marked for death, with one witness stating the list was effectively a “dead list.”
As the ICC proceedings continue, will the court be able to establish a clear link between alleged orders and the actions taken by police forces during the ‘Tokhang’ campaign?
