THE Drug War Truth Commission said Thursday that the appearance of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the International Criminal Court (ICC) trial has boosted the morale of victims of his war on drugs.
The group said its “truth-telling sessions” aim to help drug war survivors heal.
“These truth-telling sessions are not only the survivors’ way of making sure that their story is known — this is to help them in their healing as they continue to grapple with the effects of the violence that started since the ‘drug war’ began in 2016,” said Truth Commission head Judge Raul Pangalangan.
“This is particularly true in the case of many more victims and survivors who are not included in the cases before the ICC,” he added.
The commission said that its third truth session to be held next week will feature Clarita Alia, a Davao City mother whose four sons were killed by the Davao Death Squad between 2001 and 2007.
“While the ICC’s proceedings are important, the struggle for justice, accountability, healing, and closure does not end in The Hague. The Truth Commission will ensure that more of those who suffered are heard,” Pangalangan said.
In a session on Sept. 11, Anna Coritha Ramos narrated in a video recording how she found out that her son, Kim Lester, a construction worker, was among the casualties of Duterte’s drug war.
