House Human Rights Chair and Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante expressed hope that former President Rodrigo Duterte and former chiefs of the Philippine National Police would attend the joint hearings of the newly-formed Quad Comm that will tackle issues involving extrajudicial killings, the war on illegal drugs, and POGOs, as their participation in the inquiry will help shed light on the different facets of these interrelated concerns.
Speaking at a press conference in the House of Representatives, Abante stressed that the Quad Comm investigation is a national security concern, and that the Human Rights Committee had previously invited the former president to attend its inquiry “but he did not come”.
The veteran legislator said they would be inviting the former Chief Executive again as “the thing is the other committees would like to invite the former president sapagkat sya lang ang makakasagot ng mga tanong”.
“An estimated 20,000 were slain in the previous administration’s war on drugs, and that 16,000 were killed by vigilante forces.”
The seasoned lawmaker said the former President is in a position to respond to data provided by groups like the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, which alleges that an estimated 20,000 were slain in the previous administration’s war on drugs, and that 16,000 were killed by vigilante forces.
He added that the PNP provided the Human Rights panel with data that 21 drug lords, 7,000 drug pushers, and 440 drug users lost their lives in the anti-illegal drug campaign.
“Saan nanggagaling ang pera na binibigay sa mga nakakapatay na mga pulis?”
“Na find out din namin na may reward system; saan nanggagaling ang pera na binibigay sa mga nakakapatay na mga pulis?” Abante said.
He added an invitation would also be extended to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in his capacity as a former PNP chief.
“Now, it’s up to him kung pupunta sya o hindi. Si Harry Roque, iimbitahin din namin sya. Lahat ng mga dating mga director generals na involved… during the war on drugs, iimbitahin natin,” Abante explained.
With Abante at the press conference were Transportation Committee Chair and Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop, Dangerous Drugs Committee Chair and Surigao Del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers, Public Order and Safety and Chair and Santa Rosa Lone District Representative Dan Fernandez, Accounts Chair and Abang Lingkod Representative Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano.
Abante emphasized that aside from crafting remedial legislation to address the issues that the Quad Comm will unearth, one of its goals is to prosecute those found to have violated the law.
