THE House Quad Committee, consisting of the committees on dangerous drugs, public accounts, public order and safety as well as human rights, resumed their joint public hearing on Wednesday with more resource persons presented to testify on how the previous administration conducted its war on drugs.
Police Col. Jovie Espenido revealed an alleged quota and reward systems funded by Small Town Lottery (STL) and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) earnings
He also submitted an affidavit to the quad committee, detailing how police under his command conducted “tokhang” operations targeting high-profile drug syndicates in Albuera, Leyte, and Ozamis City.
Espenido also mentioned that then-PNP chief and now Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa personally instructed him to lead these operations.
When questioned by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon about the drug war’s success, Espenido acknowledged the “practicality”of the drug war approach, noting that many were pleased.
However, he expressed disappointment, stating that despite efforts to trace the source of drugs, only the victims—pushers and users—ended up being killed.
“Sa akin naman your Honors, I conclude na kawawa ‘yong mga naging biktima lang para lang makatanggap ng reward. Nag-abuso sa paligid ni (former) President Duterte. Nag-take advantage because of greed, of position and money. Kaya maski sino na lang ang trabahuhin as long as nasa watch-list ka your Honors,” he added.
Former SPO4 Jimmy Fortaleza also testified at the hearing, recounting how three Chinese drug lords were killed inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Ty Pimentel noted that Fortaleza’s account corroborated the statement of confessed killer Leopoldo Tan Jr.
However, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Superintendent Gerardo Padilla, who was the warden at the time, denied any knowledge of the plot. Pimentel countered that prisoner movements could not have occurred without the warden’s approval.
“Mr. Chair, hindi ho pwedeng magsinungaling si Supt. Padilla dahil based on the statement of Jimmy Fortaleza, pumunta siya doon. So meaning, hindi nagsisinungaling si Leopoldo Tan sa salaysay na kung saan sinabi niya na pumunta nga doon sa selda si Gerry Padilla,” Pimentel said.
BuCor Senior Inspector Nonie Forro belied the allegation that he placed the Chinese drug lords together in the same cell with Magdadaro and Tan, and that the directive came from Padilla himself.
Public accounts committee chairperson Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano cited Padilla in contempt for refusing or evading to answer the panel’s questions without legal excuse. Padilla was ordered to be detained at Bicutan City Jail for 30 days.
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