PNP to probe Duterte’s Senate admission on drug war | ABS-CBN

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PNP to probe Duterte’s Senate admission on drug war

PNP to probe Duterte’s Senate admission on drug war

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Oct 30, 2024 05:18 PM PHT

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The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee secretary administers the oath of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Monday, October 28, 2024 before he begins his testimony before the subcommittee investigating motu proprio the alleged extra-judicial killings during his administration. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday they would investigate former President Rodrigo Duterte's statements during the recent Senate inquiry into his controversial war on drugs.

Duterte admitted on Monday that he kept a “death squad” targeting alleged criminals while serving as mayor of Davao. 

“Una kini-claim niya na death squad then later on binawi rin niya, but this will not stop the PNP from pursuing and investigating this case,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said.  

“He mentioned some names at tinuturo niya ‘yung ibang mga pulis then that will be used as lead and basis of the PNP to conduct further investigation,” she added. 

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They are validating whether any police officers were involved in the alleged death squad, assuring that there will be no "sacred cows" if any officers are found to be implicated.

“It’s too early for me to say na meron pong mga pulis but kung meron man na madi-dig up tayo na mga involvement ng mga pulis, ang sabi ng ating chief PNP, no sacred cows,” she said.

PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil has also directed them to investigate the unsolved cases related to the drug war, including those that were mentioned during the hearings.

CLEAR VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Duterte also revealed that he had instructed policemen to “encourage” suspects to fight back to justify their killings.

Fajardo said that if true, it would have been a violation of the fundamental laws they had committed to upholding.

“It’s not just a violation of rules of engagement, this is a clear violation po ng ating Constitution na we have to accord the due process. Anyone should not be deprived of life and liberty without due process,” she explained.

“Wala tayong sasantuhin regardless kung saang institution ito galing. In fact, ay even ‘yung mga superior officers will be held responsible if there is an evidence to indicate na sila mismo ang nag-utos sa mga tauhan po nila,” she added.

For House Quad Committee Lead Co-Chairperson Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, that particular "admission" by Duterte was "the most damning statement he made" during the Senate hearing.  

“‘Yung sinabing inutusan niya na i-encourage ‘yung criminals na lumaban para barilin ng mga police. ‘Yun ang para sa akin, that's I think the most damning statement he made,” Barbers said.

We will have to get more information and substantiated information on that in order to help us craft our final recommendation on the issue,” he added.

The Quad Comm is scheduled to resume its hearing on November 7. If it decides to tackle illegal drugs and alleged extrajudicial killings on the said date, Barbers said another invitation will be sent to Duterte. 

The former President skipped the Quad Comm’s previous hearing. His legal counsel said Duterte was “not feeling well”, but was willing to attend the next hearing.

COOPERATIVE WITH CHR 

The PNP also asserted that they have been cooperative with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) amid allegations of withholding of information related to the investigation of war on drugs.

However, they are bounded by laws that require a formal process before releasing any document or information.

“We are cooperative from the start. Even ‘yung mga kaso nakarating sa DOJ, particularly ‘yung 52 cases na inimbestigahan ng DOJ with respect doon sa mga kaso related sa drug campaign ng previous administration, it was the PNP who provided the case folder,” she said.

“May proseso kapag nanghihingi ng mga dokumento, information, ang anumang ahensya or even private individuals in adherence doon sa Freedom of Information manual and Data Privacy Act,” she added.

They vow to coordinate with the CHR and provide the necessary documents for their investigation. —With reports from Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News

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