TWO Quad Comm chairmen on Sunday said it is time for former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD) and Senators Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa to attend the joint panel’s probe on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drug syndicates and extrajudicial killings as witnesses have given explosive testimonies implicating them in the issues being investigated.
“It has come to public attention that serious allegations have been made against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Sens. Bong Go and Bato dela Rosa in the Quad Comm probe, and given the gravity of these accusations, we hope they attend the hearings to address these claims directly,” said Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.
In the Aug. 22 hearing of the Quad Comm, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) Leopoldo Tan Jr. and Fernando “Andy” Magdadaro both testified that Duterte was allegedly involved in the killings of three Chinese drug lords detained at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte in 2016.
In the last hearing of the Quad Comm, active police Col. Jovie Espenido alleged that a reward system was in place for killings during the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war, which was funded in part by illegal activities, including contributions from POGO operations, implicating Go and Dela Rosa.
Fernandez said it is important to emphasize that the Quad Committee’s investigations have uncovered testimonies that paint a damning picture of the war on drugs during the Duterte administration.
“Espenido, a key figure in the drug war, has implicated Sen. Bong Go in this scheme, claiming that funds were funnelled downwards from his level. Similarly, Sen. Bato, who led the Philippine National Police during the early years of the drug war, has been accused of instructing police officers to neutralize drug suspects, which has been interpreted as an order to kill. May naging issue rin si Col. Espenido na may prinotektahan si Sen. Bato na kailangang maliwanagan,” Fernandez said.
“Given these severe allegations, we hope former President Duterte, Go, and Dela Rosa will appear before the Quad Committee. Their attendance would provide them a crucial platform to defend themselves and clarify their roles in the previous administration’s anti-drug policies,” Fernandez added.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, said Duterte, Go and Dela Rosa should take the opportunity to speak because it is essential not only for their own reputations but also for the Filipino people “who deserve the truth about the alleged involvement of top officials in illicit activities.”
“The testimonies heard so far have led to disturbing revelations, suggesting that the Philippines may have operated as a ‘narco-state’ during Duterte’s presidency, with high-ranking officials involved in the drug trade,” said Abante, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante said.
“These claims, if left unchallenged, could undermine public confidence in the integrity of the country’s leadership and its institutions. Therefore, allowing Duterte, Go, and Dela Rosa to address these accusations is critical in maintaining transparency and accountability in governance,” he added.
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