Ombudsman confirms meeting with ICC probers

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has confirmed he met with investigators of the International Criminal Court (ICC) last year when he was still justice secretary, to discuss the protection of Filipino witnesses in the crimes against humanity case lodged against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Remulla made the confirmation after 18 supposed former Marine personnel alleged that he had meetings with ICC staff, claiming that he caused “undue damage” to the government and raising the possibility of a conspiracy and collusion with the ICC.

“I said I talked to them. Ano ngayon (So what)? We need to protect our witnesses,” Remulla said in Filipino, adding this likely happened after the arrest and deportation of Duterte to The Hague. “After March (2025), not yet a year I’m sure.”

He, however, said there should be an investigation into the allegations of the 18 supposed Marines and he wants to get the individual affidavits of all of them.

“If they are 18 and were together for two years straight, and they saw all that they narrated, that’s what we want to know… The allegations are serious. Kahit kasama ako diyan,” he said, noting he was included in the affidavit.

In a joint affidavit referred to the Office of the Ombudsman last week, lawyer Levi Baligod and the 18 individuals accused Remulla of committing graft over his meeting with ICC personnel.

Baligod had claimed the 18 individuals had served as “bagmen” for kickbacks from anomalous infrastructure projects. He said the group was also instructed to hand $2 million in cash to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV supposedly intended to bribe the ICC.

Nartatez dares Kaufmann: Show proof of vigilante killings

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. challenged former president Duterte’s lawyer Nicholas Kaufmann to present proof of alleged vigilante killings under the administration of President Marcos.

Nartatez responded to claims by Kaufmann during the pre-trial hearing at the International Criminal Court last week that 30 percent of supposed vigilante killings during the Marcos administration were carried out by state agents.

“Give us the data and we will respond. But as far as the PNP is concerned, every death is being investigated,” Nartatez said yesterday during a press briefing at Camp Crame.

He said cases, whether drug-related or not, were subject to continuing investigation, including unsolved incidents. — Mark Ernest Villeza