Ex-PCSO chief Garma to testify vs Duterte at ICC

MANILA, Philippines — Retired police colonel Royina Garma is set to serve as a prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed yesterday.

According to Remulla, Garma traveled to Malaysia to meet with ICC representatives in preparation for her testimony, adding that she may even appear at the confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte in The Hague.

“I think she has agreed to be a witness, according to (former) senator (Antonio) Trillanes. I’ve been working with senator Trillanes because we have no real official relationship with the ICC, except for the fact that we protect the witnesses who are here,” Remulla said.

The DOJ chief said the government has provided some protection for Garma by allowing her to meet the ICC in Malaysia, noting that her life could be in danger in the Philippines.

“The best way to protect her is really for the ICC to meet her abroad because her life can be in danger in our country. Let’s face it, uniformed personnel ang kalaban,” he said, clarifying that the “cautious” working relationship between the government and the ICC only involves witness protection.

Remulla said Garma’s testimony would be crucial, as she is the “highest-ranking police officer that can be asked to give a narrative about the drug war, the reward system,” among others.

Garma had earlier implicated Duterte in the bloody war on drugs before a congressional hearing, claiming the former president asked her to look for an officer who could implement the “Davao model” nationwide. The model referred to a system involving payments and rewards for officers involved in killings of drug suspects.

Remulla added that negotiations between Garma, Trillanes and the ICC had been ongoing while she was in the US, and the DOJ was kept informed of developments.

Garma returned to the Philippines on Sept. 6 from Los Angeles after being held by US authorities for 10 months due to a canceled visa.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed Garma left the country on Sunday evening, a day after her return from Los Angeles.

Records show she boarded a Kuala Lumpur-bound flight at 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 7 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the bureau followed the procedure set in the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order and reported the matter to the DOJ, explaining she was allowed to depart because there is no existing hold departure order or arrest warrant against her.

ICC defers hearing

The ICC has deferred the confirmation of charges hearing of former president Duterte, which was initially scheduled for Sept. 23.

In a majority ruling released last night, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I decided to postpone the hearing pending a decision on the indefinite adjournment request filed by Duterte’s legal team.

According to the ICC, the “majority of the Chamber considered that a limited postponement of the hearing on the confirmation of charges was warranted to allow sufficient time to adjudicate the request and related matters.”

Based on the five-page ruling, Duterte’s camp filed the request on Aug. 18, arguing the former president is “not fit to stand trial.” Both the prosecution and the public counsel for victims opposed the plea.

Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera dissented, saying the pre-trial proceedings should continue.

“The Majority emphasises that, in accordance with the Chamber’s duty to ensure the fair and expeditious conduct of the proceedings, the above-mentioned postponement will be limited to the time strictly necessary to determine whether Mr. Duterte is fit to follow and participate in the pre-trial proceedings, including the confirmation of charges hearing, and to adjudicate the Adjournment Request,” the ruling stated. — Janvic Mateo, Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos