The House of Representatives Quad Committee has recommended the filing of criminal charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte and several of his top aides over alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs.
In a progress report presented Wednesday, Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers, chairperson of the Quad Committee, said the panel proposed charges under Section 6 of Republic Act 9851, also known as the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
Among those recommended for prosecution are former President Duterte, Senators Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go, and former police chiefs Oscar Albayalde and Debold Sinas. Other implicated individuals include ex-police officers Royina Garma and Edilberto Leonardo and former Presidential aide Herminia “Muking” Espino.
Systemic abuses in the war on drugs
The committee’s findings paint a disturbing picture of abuse and impunity. Barbers highlighted the use of a “reward system” to incentivize the killing of suspected drug personalities, funded in part by leftover campaign funds. This practice violated Commission on Elections (Comelec) regulations on using surplus campaign finances.
“The former President unequivocally admitted the existence of the reward system during hearings, stating that leftover campaign funds were used to finance these activities,” Barbers said.
At a Quad Committee hearing on November 13, Duterte acknowledged ordering the killings of drug manufacturers and dealers while denying targeting drug addicts. However, his remarks about the death toll were chilling: “It was not enough,” he reportedly said. Duterte also admitted to instructing police officers to encourage suspected criminals to fight back to justify the killings.
Testimonies further implicated Duterte in the August 2016 execution of three Chinese drug lords at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, an act described as emblematic of the so-called “Davao Template,” a strategy of systematic EJKs allegedly replicated nationwide during his presidency.
The report also called for additional investigations into the involvement of Duterte’s son, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, and former Presidential Economic Adviser Michael Yang in the illegal drug trade.
Testimonies from Bureau of Customs personnel alleged that Representative Duterte led a group that wielded control over customs operations, facilitating corruption and the proliferation of illegal drugs and contraband under his father’s administration.
Similarly, the Quad Committee recommended inquiries into the alleged involvement of former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, and Cassandra Ong in illegal activities tied to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Recommended reforms and legislative action
Beyond criminal charges, the Quad Committee proposed amendments and reviews of several key laws to address systemic issues exposed during its investigation. These include:
- Local Government Code
- Bank Secrecy Act
- Anti-Money Laundering Act
- Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Act
- Anti-Dummy Law
- Cybercrime Prevention Act
- Comprehensive Firearms Regulation Act
The committee also called for stricter regulations under the PAGCOR Charter and enhancements to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013.
The House has officially adopted the Quad Committee’s recommendations and forwarded them to relevant agencies for appropriate action.
Despite the serious implications of the findings, former President Duterte, along with Senators Go and dela Rosa, has yet to respond to the recommendations.
A turning point in accountability?
Barbers characterized the revelations as some of the most chilling in Philippine history, stating, “The investigations have uncovered a harrowing narrative of abuse of power and institutional impunity. This is not just about seeking justice for the victims but also about preventing such tragedies in the future.”
The Quad Committee was established in August to address complex and interrelated issues concerning extrajudicial killings, illegal drugs, and POGOs. Its findings may mark a pivotal moment in pursuing accountability for human rights violations in the Philippines.