CTTO
MANILA, Philippines — The House Committee on Human Rights has extended invitations to former President Rodrigo Duterte and his former police chief, now Senator Ronald dela Rosa, to address questions about their six-year war on drugs, which resulted in thousands of deaths.
Additionally, the committee has invited former Senator Leila de Lima, a vocal critic of Duterte’s anti-narcotics campaign. De Lima was recently cleared of the last of three drug trafficking charges filed against her during Duterte’s administration, which her supporters believe were in retaliation for her criticism and investigation of vigilante killings by the so-called Davao Death Squad in Duterte’s hometown.
The presence of both Duterte and De Lima sets the stage for a potentially heated confrontation between the political adversaries.
“As much as I would want to give courtesy to the former president and the senator, because of the gravity of the testimonies of [the families of the victims], Duterte and Dela Rosa should face these people,” said Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the House committee. He added, “Maybe the former president can look into his heart and realize what he has done in his six years.”
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas moved to invite Duterte and Dela Rosa to the next hearing after several widows and mothers of drug war victims testified about their experiences. They recounted how police killed their relatives, some of whom were minors, often claiming self-defense.
One mother, Raquel Lopez, became emotional as she described how her son Rabby was killed by Cebu police during a “one-time, big-time drug operation” in October 2018. Lopez stated that her son was shot while sleeping and then discarded “like a slaughtered pig.”
The House committee did not initially plan to invite Duterte and Dela Rosa when the inquiry began on May 22. The committee aimed to “seek the truth” and gather “comprehensive information” on alleged human rights violations linked to the drug war, which left at least 6,000 people dead, according to official data. Human rights organizations estimate the actual number could be as high as 20,000 due to underreporting and falsified records.
Rep. Abante, initially hesitant about inviting Duterte, admitted to a change of heart after hearing the victims’ families’ testimonies. Eleanor Llanes, a missionary sister, criticized the panel for delaying the inquiry, calling it a “moral failing” for remaining silent for so long. Abante acknowledged this rebuke, promising to pursue the investigation thoroughly.
During the latest hearing, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong asked human rights lawyers to define “extrajudicial killings” in the context of the drug war. Kristina Conti, legal counsel for some victims’ families, emphasized focusing on the victims rather than the perpetrators’ intentions, pointing to a pattern targeting perceived drug addicts.
ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro noted that Abante’s decision to invite Duterte might have been influenced by the committee’s realization of the extent of suffering endured by the victims’ families. “It is only the policymaker (Duterte) and its chief implementer (Dela Rosa) who can answer the multitude of queries not just of the committee members but [of] the families of victims as well,” she added.
The next hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, will be followed by another session with Duterte, Dela Rosa, and De Lima.
Historically, Duterte would not be the first former president to face a congressional inquiry. Previous presidents, including Benigno Aquino III, Joseph Estrada, and Fidel Ramos, have also appeared before congressional committees to address various controversies during their administrations.