TWO co-chairpersons of the House Quad Comm have called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file cases related to extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred during the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez both urged the DOJ to use the findings of the Quad Comm to file cases against those involved in the EJKs during the previous administration, underscoring the need for justice for the thousands who lost their lives in the bloody anti-drug campaign.
Abante, chairman of the House Committee on Human Rights, said the Quad Comm is committed to cooperating with the justice system and will readily turn over documents on the request of the DOJ.
Abante detailed that these extrajudicial killings affected thousands of civilians, with estimates from the International Criminal Court ranging from 12,000 to 30,000 deaths during the Duterte administration.
Abante highlighted the systemic nature of the killings and their targeting of low-level drug offenders rather than major drug lords.
Fernandez pointed out the importance of Republic Act (RA) No. 9851 or the Act Defining and Penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against International Human Law ,especially the concept of command responsibility as provided by said law.
Duterte’s own admission could imply command responsibility, Fernandez said, citing Section 8 of the law. He added that Duterte’s position as commander-in-chief made him accountable for orders given that led to the EJKs during his administration.
Abante made it clear that their committee’s purpose is to seek justice.
“We just want justice to be done bilang chairman of the Committee on Human Rights,” he said.
Abante explained that they stand firmly against the proliferation of drugs in the country, but question the necessity of the methods used during the drug war.
He questioned the rationale behind the thousands of civilian deaths, including minors, during the anti-drug campaign.
However, he emphasized the need for accountability, saying Duterte’s remarks, including his admission of the existence of a “death squad”, must be taken seriously.
According to Fernandez, the DOJ must use RA 9851 to ensure accountability in cases involving crimes against humanity and extrajudicial killings.
The Quad Comm is comprised of four committees that are investigating the drug war, EJKs, corruption, and other criminal activities, including those of the POGOs.