MANILA, Philippines – Wala pang natatanggap na formal request ang Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) mula sa International Criminal Court (ICC) para sa pag-freeze ng financial assets ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, kaugnay sa paglilitis sa kanya sa mga umano’y crimes against humanity.
“[W]e have yet to receive an official request from the ICC or from the relevant government agency responsible for addressing the matter,” sinabi ni AMLC Executive Director Matthew David sa panayam ng GMA News.
“…it would be premature to comment further,” dagdag pa niya.
Nauna nang sinabi ng ICC na maaari nitong ipag-utos ang pag-freeze ng mga asset ng akusado kasunod ng conviction dahil maaaring gamitin ang mga asset nito para mabayaran ang mga biktima.
Samantala, sinabi ng Malacañang na ang AMLC ang ahensyang magiging responsable sa pagdedesisyon sa oras na ipag-utos ang pag-freeze ng financial assets ni Duterte.
“If a request from the ICC does arise, it will be evaluated, and relevant government agencies will be consulted to determine the Philippines’ response to a potential ICC request for enforcement of its order,” ayon sa AMLC.
“The AMLC remains committed to fulfilling its mandate as the central Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) authority,” dagdag pa.
Sinabi rin ng AMLC executive director na kabilang sa mandato nito ay ang “conducting money laundering investigations, responding to requests for assistance from foreign states, and filing of petitions with the Court of Appeals for the issuance of freeze orders against assets linked to unlawful activities, as outlined in the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) and its implementing rules and regulations.”
“We assure the public that the AMLC will continue to discharge its duties in accordance with the law and established procedures,” sinabi ni David. RNT/JGC
