House drug war findings may be used by ICC

House findings on the drug war deaths during the previous administration could potentially be utilized by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its investigation, according to House members.

Deputy Speaker David Suarez, Assistant Majority Leader Ernesto Dionisio Jr., and Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairman Robert Ace Barbers agreed that the public nature of the House Committee on Human Rights' hearings allows the ICC to reference and use the information as needed.

These lawmakers concurred with previous pronouncements by Rep. Dan Fernandez that the findings of the human rights panel could serve as evidence in the ICC probe.

The Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., has been conducting an extensive probe into drug-related extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration.

All findings and records from the committee's hearings are documented and made available to the public, ensuring accessibility for international bodies like the ICC.

Lawmakers highlighted that public hearings are designed to address all angles of an issue and provide resource persons the opportunity to explain their positions.