The House of Representatives is set to begin on May 22 its inquiry into the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in connection with the war on drugs by the Duterte administration.
The House Committee on Human Rights, which will conduct the probe, said it plans to invite former officials who served under the previous administration, including former Philippine National Police (PNP) head Oscar Albayalde and former Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa, were not invited in the said hearings.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, said the House “”would like to maintain courtesy with the sitting senator and also with the former president.”
Abante meanwhile assured the public that the inquiry into the alleged EJKs would be “impartial, fair, and respectful” in its efforts to obtain information and to hear all sides regarding the issue.
Abante said “the purpose of these proceedings is to conduct a thorough inquiry into these alleged EJKs.”
“Why we conducting an inquiry into the deaths of alleged drug addicts or drug dealers? First we must begin with the principle that each life is valuable, that each life lost is a profound tragedy,” Abante said.
“Second, we must point out that those who lost their lives, like every Filipino, are protected by the rights granted by the Constitution, one of which is due process… because these alleged EJK victims were silenced, they were denied their rights," the lawmaker said.
“Now it is our responsibility to the victims of alleged extrajudicial killings––and their families––to seek the truth."
According to the lawmaker, the House is "committed to securing comprehensive information by listening to all sides and hearing the voices that must be heard.”
“We would like to emphasize that the House will approach this inquiry with the impartiality, objectivity, sensitivity, and empathy that such a profound responsibility demands,” he said.
The House Human Rights Committee on Wednesday began its inquiry with briefings on the alleged EJKs committed during the Duterte administration's war on drugs.
Aside from data and statistics, Abante revealed that the committee was also provided with backgrounders on the possible legal issues surrounding the previous administration's implementation of its campaign against illegal drugs.
Abante stressed that as chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, he would ensure that the inquiry would be conducted "with the utmost probity, fairness, and respect for all the parties involved."
"Our purpose here is to seek the truth, and not to pass judgment," said the lawmaker. To emphasize the purpose of the hearings, the solon quoted the Book of Isaiah 1:17, which says: "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."
"These words," said Abante, "call upon us to actively pursue justice and uphold human rights, to stand up for those who have been wronged, and to ensure that the rights of every individual are protected."
Following the initial briefing conducted on Wednesday, the committee will hold its next hearing on May 22.
