TWO co-chairpersons of the House Quad Comm have called on the national prosecutorial service to file cases related to extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred during the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, underscoring the need for justice for the thousands who lost their lives in the bloody anti-drug campaign.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez both urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to use the findings of the Quad Comm to file cases against those involved in the EJKs during the previous administration.
Abante, chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, said that while the Quad Comm cannot prosecute cases themselves, they are urging the DOJ to act on the committee’s findings.
“Yes, pag hiniling po ng DOJ that we could turn over documents, we will do it,” Abante assured, underscoring the Quad Comm’s commitment to cooperating with the justice system.
Abante detailed that these extrajudicial killings affected thousands of civilians, with estimates from the International Criminal Court ranging between 12,000 to 30,000 deaths during Duterte’s administration.
“Willful killings affected thousands of civilians,” Abante reiterated, highlighting the systemic nature of the killings and their targeting of low-level drug offenders rather than major drug lords.
Fernandez pointed out the importance of Republic Act (RA) No. 9851, especially the concept of command responsibility as provided by said law.
“Dun sa 9851 kase kinaklaro doon ‘yung defining and ‘yung mga penalizing nung mga acts against international humanitarian law, genocide at saka ‘yung crimes against humanity,” he stated, explaining how Duterte’s own admission could imply command responsibility.
Referring to specific sections of RA 9851, Fernandez explained, “Section 8… command responsibility ng mga superior, and him being the superior of the land during his incumbency, he will take responsibility.”
He added that Duterte’s position as commander-in-chief made him accountable for orders given that led to the EJKs under his administration.
Abante made it clear that their committee’s purpose is to seek justice.
“We just want justice to be done bilang chairman of the Committee on Human Rights,” he said.
Abante explained that they stand firmly against the presence of drugs in the country but question the necessity of the methods used during the drug war, which resulted in widespread loss of life.
He questioned the rationale behind the thousands of civilian deaths, including minors, during the anti-drug campaign.
“Merong sinabi na collateral damage. Collateral damage ba ‘yung napatay na 3-year-old, napatay na 9-year-old?” Abante asked, citing specific cases of young victims.
According to him, the majority of fatalities were drug users and pushers from impoverished communities, while only a handful of high-profile drug lords were apprehended or killed.
Abante also criticized Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s defense of the deaths as “shit happens,” questioning the senator’s use of language and attitude toward the loss of life.
“Ano ba ibig sabihin ng shit? Baka hindi niya alam ibig sabihin ng shit sa American expression? Mura iyun hindi ba,” he remarked, challenging the normalization of brutality during the drug war.
Echoing Abante’s call, Fernandez highlighted how the Quad Comm’s investigation has expedited executive action, particularly with asset preservation related to drug operations.
“Like for example itong sa preservation assets na we recommended… Siyam iyan na ngayon po nag-issue na si Sec. Lucas Bersamin,” Fernandez said, noting the importance of preserving assets associated with drug cases.
In his response to a question on Duterte’s recent comments admitting the existence of a “death squad” and implicating retired generals, Fernandez said, “Alam natin na Presidente mahilig siyang mag-joke, sometimes hindi na natin alam ‘yung katotohanan.”
However, he emphasized the need for accountability, saying Duterte’s remarks must be taken seriously given his role as the country’s top leader.
“Ngayon, yung mga tinuran niya doon this time … he must be responsible for it,” Fernandez insisted, pointing to the significant implications of Duterte’s words.
According to Fernandez, the DOJ should use RA 9851 to ensure accountability in cases involving crimes against humanity and extrajudicial killings.
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