A leading member of the House Quad committee yesterday called for the criminal prosecution of the “monstrous killings” that took place during the Duterte administration’s so-called war on drugs.
“We will recommend the prosecution of those behind these monstrous killings. It is my hope, my prayer, that these recommendations are followed through so that justice is served for the families of the victims of the EJKs,” said Quad Committee Co-Chairperson Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.
Abante, a Protestant pastor, did not pull his punches in lashing out at “trolls” and other online critics who have incessantly maligned the Quad Comm and its members throughout the months-long investigation into extrajudicial killings (EJKs), Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug trafficking, and their alleged connections with the previous leadership.
“I want our bashers to hear this. I also want the trolls-for-hire and other paid vloggers to listen… so they can appreciate the level of their stupidity,” he said in Filipino.
“The leader of the past administration is saying that he did all this because, I quote, ‘I love this country’ …Is this love of country? Killing so many people and paying people to do it [EJKs]? There is not one family that has the monopoly of love for this country,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, the mega panel is looking to recommend the filing of cases against “close to 10” individuals involved in alleged EJKs, POGOs and narcotics during the Duterte administration.
Surigao Del Norte rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the panel’s lead chair, said these may form part of the progress report he will present before the House plenary next week. The report is up for signature of the panel members.
“There will be no sacred cows. We will leave no stone unturned in the search for truth, justice, and accountability,” he said.
Barbers underscored the inseparable link between the drug war and EJKs as he detailed testimonies that implicated high-ranking officials, including Duterte, in enforcing a reward system for killing drug suspects.
He noted that Duterte himself admitted during his testimony that police were instructed to fabricate scenarios of resistance to justify killings.
As this developed, the Quad Comm cited in contempt and ordered the detention of the senior police official who claimed that two congressmen coerced him to confirm the supposed reward system in the Duterte administration’s drug war. Police Col. Hector Grijaldo, who skipped the mega-panel’s hearing for the fourth consecutive time, was ordered detained at the House of Representatives premises until the panel terminates its probe.
Taguig Rep. Pam Zamora initiated the motion to hold Grijaldo in contempt after he failed to show up at the House probe on four separate instances.
Panel members seconded the motion, which was later approved by Barbers.
The House Quad Committee also cited former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Wilkins Villanueva for contempt “for refusal to answer relevant questions” and ordered his detention.
