Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday viewed the visit of a congressional delegation from the United States to detained former Senator Leila de Lima as a sign that the “justice system in the country is working.”
Remulla stressed that concerns on human rights were “very much on top of the agenda” of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Because they always make it into our curricular system that ICC (International Criminal Court) needs to enter. You will see, in the De Lima case, the US congressional delegation went to court to seek permission to visit Senator De Lima, and they were granted permission by the courts. That just means, our courts are functioning,” Remulla said, during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay when asked if he has made any suggestions to the speech of President Marcos at the United Nations General Assembly.
Last week, the eight-man delegation led by US Senator Edward Markey spent over an hour at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The secretary also reiterated that the DOJ will protect possible witnesses in extrajudicial killings.
“If they have any knowledge about EJKs and they’re willing to testify, just tell us and we will be there to protect you and to make sure your testimony is used in the best way possible,” Remulla stressed.
“If I will be put on the delegation, it will depend on the president, but I’m willing to go if my services will help put forward the image of the country,” Remulla said.