Obstruction of justice

The Washington Post has recently reported on the investigation being conducted against US President Donald Trump for obstruction of justice. No similar investigation can be hoped for against President Duterte.

But the evidence is clear: He and his administration are liable for obstruction of justice, considering his order to the Philippine National Police not to release drug death records despite requests for them by the Commission on Human Rights. His solicitor general has likewise refused to produce said records despite orders from the Supreme Court. This clearly gives rise to the presumption that they are being willfully suppressed.

Said actions clearly amount to obstruction of justice, particularly suppressing records with intent to impair their availability as evidence in an investigation. This undoubtedly proves that the State is unable or unwilling to carry out the investigation and prosecution of thousands of suspected extrajudicial killings. Hence, there is no more legal obstacle for the International Criminal Court, as a court of last resort, to assume jurisdiction over the crimes against humanity for which President Duterte has been charged before it.

SEVERO BRILLANTES, brillanteslaw@gmail.com