Sen. Ronald dela Rosa announced that the Senate will conduct its own investigation into the war on drugs he led as former Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018. This comes after hearings in the House of Representatives touched on sensitive details about the controversial anti-drug campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dela Rosa, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said, “We will summon him [Duterte] and other former Cabinet members who can serve as resource persons.”
The Senate probe aims to offer a balanced perspective, in contrast to the ongoing House hearings, where former police colonel Royina Garma recently claimed that the drug war involved a reward system for those killed during operations. Dela Rosa has denied the existence of such a system.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada emphasized the importance of Duterte’s participation, stating that the former president’s voice is crucial to providing transparency and clarity in the investigation.
“All must be given a voice, especially if the goal is to clarify the actions of the past administration,” Estrada said, adding that former presidents have appeared before the Senate in the past without issue.
The hearings may take place during the session break after November, with Dela Rosa emphasizing that the Senate must also scrutinize the allegations, including Garma’s claim that Duterte had personally called her to establish a national anti-drug task force.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III expressed support for a new inquiry, stressing the need for justice and accountability for extrajudicial killings.
The planned Senate investigation aims to counter the findings from the House, as Dela Rosa believes the lower chamber is accepting testimonies uncritically. “We will hold hearings to provide a check and balance on the ongoing inquiry,” he said.
