MANILA – Former president Rodrigo Duterte has yet to confirm whether he will show up in the House of Representatives’ quad committee (quad comm) hearing today on the alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs.
Cong. Robert Ace Barbers, chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, has already extended an invite to the former Chief Executive to give him a chance to answer the allegations.
Former presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo previously said that former President Duterte expressed intent to present himself in the House quad comm hearing if he received an invitation.
“He said if he received an invitation, he will,” Panelo said in a message to the media.
Over the weekend, the former president denied there was a cash reward system for police officers who killed drug suspects during the “war on drugs” of his administration.
In an interview with SMNI Channel, Duterte said there was no truth to the statements made by former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chief Royina Garma before the House of Representatives’ quad committee.
“Walang pulis na papasok na ganon. Makukulong sila. Why would they accept that kind of agreement when it will later on bring their downfall? Walang reward ‘yan. Hindi ako nagbibigay ng reward,” Duterte said.
“Ito talaga ang order ko sa kanila. Hanapin at arestuhin ninyo. Bring them to me, pero pagka-lumaban at nakita ninyo na ang sarili niyong buhay ay mapalagay sa alanganin, patayin ninyo,” he added.
Garma, during her appearance at the House quad comm two weeks ago, disclosed about the supposed cash reward system, which she said was being led by former President Duterte and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating allegations of human rights abuses committed during Duterte’s drug war, while he House of Representatives is also conducting committee hearings on the drug war killings.
More than 6,000 people were killed in anti-drug operations under Duterte, according to official data released by the Philippines, but ICC prosecutors estimate the death toll at between 12,000 and 30,000./PN
