MANILA — The House of Representatives has adopted a resolution authorizing the consolidation of the ongoing investigations into crimes linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO), illegal drugs, and alleged extrajudicial killings under former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. 

During session on Tuesday, the lower chamber adopted via viva voce or voice voting House Resolution 1880, authorizing the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts to conduct a joint investigation into these issues.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. initiated the move on Monday in a privilege speech.

“These individual inquiries by the three committees have been persistent and yet exhaustive. Still, there are issues that are interwoven entailing scrutiny into intricate details,” Gonzales said in his privilege speech.

He said the separate investigations “have shown an overlap or commonalities on individuals or resource persons that may be invited in the hearings." 

“A joint investigation will enable us to conduct a more inclusive and thorough examination of these interlocking issues... This coordinated effort will ensure that our findings are comprehensive and that our legislative recommendations are practical and encompassing," he explained. 

Several Chinese nationals are suspected to be behind illegal POGOs and the drug shipment seized in Mexico, Pampanga. None of the Chinese suspects appeared before the House, which ordered their arrest.