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Transcript/Script EnglishUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: PHILIPPINES DUTERTE ICC
HEADLINE: ICC Rejects Philippine Government’s Move to Block Duterte Drug War Inquiry
TEASER: Families of those killed during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war laud the decision
PUBLISHED AT: 7/18/23, 1:08p
BYLINE: Dave Grunebaum
DATELINE: Quezon City, Philippines
VIDEOGRAPHER: Dave Grunebaum
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA Original, Reuters PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO ___
TRT: 2:07
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: —
—All soundbites are in English. There’s one section of agency video where Reuters gets a courtesy))
((INTRO))
The International Criminal Court is moving ahead with its investigation of possible crimes against humanity during the drug war launched by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. On Tuesday, it rejected a government appeal to block the probe. Families of those killed during the anti-drug campaign are praising this latest development. Dave Grunebaum has the story from Quezon City in the Philippines.
((NARRATOR))
Photos of victims killed during the Philippines' grisly war on drugs. So much more than numbers. Real people with families in mourning.
Llore Pasco lost two sons on the same day in May 2017, Juan Carlos and Crisanto.
((Llore Pasco, Mother (female in English) ))
“I cannot explain how painful. Although it’s already six years after they died, but still in my thinking, [it is] as if it’s only yesterday it happened.”
((NARRATOR))
Government data shows that about 6,200 people were killed in police operations tied to the drug war during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year term, which ended last year. Some human rights groups, however, say the real death toll could be as high as 30,000, including executions by vigilantes who, according to activists, often work closely with police.
[[FOR RADIO: Pasco says she wants justice.]]
((Llore Pasco, Mother (female in English) ))
“I want them jailed. I want them to suffer also what we, the families, suffer.”
((NARRATOR))
On Tuesday, families gathered to watch the International Criminal Court announce that it was rejecting an appeal by the Philippines government to stop its investigation. The news these families and their supporters were hoping for.
[[FOR RADIO: Ephraim Cortez is a lawyer with the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers and joined the families for the demonstration.]]
((Ephraim Cortez, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (male in English))
“The stumbling blocks are being taken away and it’s now the start of going against the past administration for their crimes”
((NARRATOR))
But the current administration of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Junior has made it clear it has no intention of cooperating with the ICC, and even if Duterte were convicted, it’s not certain he would serve time in jail.
But these families, and Pasco, insist they will keep up their fight.
((Llore Pasco, Mother (female in English) ))
“The message of today is the message of hope for the families, but we still have to do more”
((NARRATION))
United due to tragedy, refusing to back down.
((Dave Grunebaum for VOA News))
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