Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr., co-chair of the House quadruple committee, called on government agencies to file a case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, following Duterte’s statement in a recent Senate hearing where he accepted responsibility for the actions of law enforcement during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Abante emphasized that Duterte’s acknowledgment could serve as a foundation for a legal investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings during the drug war. “We owe it to the victims and the Filipino people to pursue justice without any fear or favor,” Abante told reporters, urging the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman to initiate proceedings.
Noting that Duterte’s health and age should not shield him from accountability, Abante underscored the need for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take notice. He mentioned that Duterte’s remarks might “potentially interpret as an endorsement of systematic action against alleged drug offenders or a potential crime against humanity,” citing that the ICC had already opened a preliminary review of the anti-drug campaign.
Abante, also the chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, voiced his disappointment with Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a former national police chief and a prominent figure in the drug war, for using his position in the Senate to defend himself. Abante argued that the House quadruple committee offers a more impartial platform for witnesses. “Equal treatment for all resource persons is only possible in the House, unlike in the Senate,” he remarked.
The lawmaker confirmed that former police officers associated with the drug war, such as retired Colonel Royina Garma and former NAPOLCOM Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, are unable to attend hearings due to health issues. Garma reportedly requires medical care, and Leonardo is recovering from COVID-19, as per medical reports submitted to the House.
Abante extended an invitation to Duterte and reiterated hopes for his appearance at the House hearing. “We’re hoping he’ll join us, especially since he appeared in the Senate. It’s crucial to hear his side and give us the opportunity to ask about his directives,” Abante said.
