The House of Representatives Quad Committee has proposed a re-investigation into the thousands of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Lawmakers pointed to the inadequacy of previous probes and emphasized the need for accountability.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante expressed concern during a committee hearing on Tuesday, stating, “The investigations during the last administration yielded no results.” Abante inquired if the Philippine National Police (PNP) could conduct new investigations. Police Major General Nicolas Salvador, Director for Operations, confirmed that re-investigations are possible.
“If it’s possible, I strongly suggest that these victims should be re-investigated so that proper charges in court will be filed,” Abante said.
Official government records show that over 6,000 drug suspects were killed during Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. Human rights organizations estimate the number could be as high as 30,000, accounting for unreported deaths.
Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti noted that fear among victims’ families and distrust in the justice system have hindered investigations. “Restoring the trust of victims and their families in the justice system is a critical first step,” she said.
The Department of Justice previously created a task force comprising prosecutors and National Bureau of Investigation agents to address EJKs. This initiative, under Memorandum Order No. 778, aims to build cases and file charges against perpetrators of killings during the drug war.
Despite these efforts, organizations like Dahas report that extrajudicial killings persist under the current administration, with over 300 cases recorded. Conti urged the government to prioritize justice while respecting the preferences of victims’ families regarding re-investigations.
