Atty. Ross Tugade, the newest Filipino lawyer accredited as an International Criminal Court (ICC) Assistant to Counsel, may potentially join the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, depending on the victims’ consensus.
“Dahil admitted na nga ako to the list, maaari po akong– at a later stage of the case – maaari pong maging bahagi po nito. Pero I think it’s gonna be dependent on the strategy and what’s the consensus of the victim community that’s already been represented in the ICC,” Tugade said in a radio interview Sunday, December 14.
Even before her ICC accreditation, Tugade has been assisting drug war victims through the Duterte Panagutin Network alongside fellow Filipino ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti.
“We respect the decision of the victims and I have been a part of Duterte Panagutin Network in some capacities doing the research on the end of the technical aspect of it. So may involvement naman po tayo kahit papaano. And that will come at a later time I think,” she noted.
Tugade, who is completing her PhD studies in Australia, brings extensive experience in human rights and international criminal law. She said her contribution will focus on crimes against humanity and war crimes case development.
“Hindi lang po ako sa Pilipinas nagkaroon ng experience on crimes against humanity case build up. Even in other countries I’ve had this experience. And I think that’s the best way I can contribute,” she stated.
“Pati po ‘yung mismong International Criminal Law procedure in the ICC I have received specialized training on this I think doon po ako makakapagbigay ng aking ambag yung ganoong technical expertise kung ano po yung maaaring maging proseso kung ano po ang maaaring pagkakaiba ng proseso sa ICC sa proseso sa Pilipinas,” she added.