Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said the proposed truth and reconciliation commission that would investigate alleged extrajudicial killings during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign would fully uncover details of the operations, including the identities of those involved and any reward systems used.
De Lima said she fully supports the creation of a truth commission, noting that while the International Criminal Court is conducting its own probe, it cannot cover all aspects of the drug war. She said her office is preparing a bill to institutionalize the commission, which may be filed as early as January.
She emphasized that accountability should extend beyond top officials to include middle-level officers and other personnel who implemented the campaign. She said the commission would be more comprehensive than the ICC’s investigation and could determine the full number of victims.
De Lima noted that thousands were killed during the campaign, and many accounts are not within the ICC’s scope. A national truth commission, she said, would provide a clearer and fuller record of what transpired.
The call for such a body was earlier echoed by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who said the commission should not seek vengeance but establish truth and provide victims a path toward healing and support.
