A Department of Justice (DOJ) official said the task force created to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs has 60 days to determine if cases will be filed over the controversial anti-narcotics program.
DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez, quoted by an ABS-CBN News report, said: “The task force has 60 days to provide an update and to find out what cases will be filed or what steps to take next, and if there are any cases ripe for a preliminary investigation.”
“They will also coordinate with the House quad comm, Senate, Commission on Human Rights, Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to get all information and details and to determine if there is evidence to support these,” he added.
A preliminary investigation is a process where prosecutors determine whether to file a case in court. He said that if the task force finds sufficient evidence, they will file formal complaints at the DOJ.
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier created a task force to give “fair and equitable justice” to alleged victims of EJKs committed by state forces during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
“Spare no one, hold accountable every personality who had a hand in the senseless killing perpetrated by abusive persons in authority during the past admin’s anti-illegal drug campaign,” he said.
Remulla formally constituted the task force by virtue of Department Order (DO) 778, that will be chaired by a senior assistant state prosecutor and co-chaired by a regional prosecutor with nine members from the National Prosecution Service (NPS).
He said it is mandated to probe, conduct case build-up and file necessary charges, if warranted against the perpetrators as well as those involved in the EJKs during the previous administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign, according to him.
DO 778 also directs the task force to closely coordinate and assist the House of Representatives Quad Committee and Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in their respective investigations into the war on drugs.
Likewise, a team from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), as may be required, shall be constituted to assist the Task Force.
The team shall be obliged to submit a report to the Secretary of Justice not later than 60 days from the issuance of department order.
