Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas implored the House Quad Committee to invite the victims’ kin and perpetrators involved in the “Bloody Sunday” massacre of 2021.
During her manifestation, Brosas recalled the gruesome event that transpired during the Duterte administration, citing how innocent lives were taken away. It was not just suspected drug users and pushers who were killed, but innocent civilians as well.
“Gumamit ng mga pekeng warrants, nanlaban kaya pinatay, walang maayos na imbestigasyon pagkatapos. Ito ang nararanasan ng mga biktima at kanilang pamilya sa ilalim ng war on drugs,” Brosas stressed.
In the two joint operations last March 7, 2021, several lives were taken away. In just a day, four people were arrested, while nine were killed.
“Makikita rin ang ganitong kalakaran sa nangyaring magkasabay na operasyon na nagresulta ng extrajudicial killings noong March 7, 2021. Sa isang araw na operasyon lamang, siyam ang pinatay, at apat ang inaresto ng mga pulis,” she highlighted.
At that time, PCol. Lito Patay was the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief for Region IV-A’s Regional Field Unit. Brosas noted how he was also the one who applied the 63 search warrants for the operations, to which 42 were approved.
Brosas highlighted the importance of hearing the testimonies straight from the victims’ families, including the perpetrators themselves. With that the former implored the Quad Comm to invite the victims’ families on the topic of extrajudicial killings.
