Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Marbil has called on former PNP chiefs to explain their roles in the "war on drugs" campaign during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
"We take these allegations very seriously. We will thoroughly investigate (ex-PCSO chief) Garma’s claims to ensure accountability and transparency within our ranks," Marbil told DZRH News on Monday.
This statement follows former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chief Royina Garma's claim that Duterte's war on drugs is replicated from the 'style' of Davao wherein a reward system for drug-related killings was imposed.
"The Davao Model had three rewards: one for killing suspects, another for funding operations, and a third for refunding expenses," Garma explained.
During a House Quad Committee hearing on Friday, Garma shared that Duterte had asked her in May 2016 to find a PNP officer from Iglesia Ni Cristo to lead the task force.
She recommended police colonel Edilberto Leonardo, her upperclassman from the PNP Academy. Leonardo's role was later expanded, and a formal proposal for the task force was sent to Duterte through Bong Go, his special assistant.
Meanwhile, Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa appeared in the hearing for the first time and alleged that then-PNP chief and now-Senator Roland “Bato” Dela Rosa instructed him to implicate then-Senator Leila de Lima, Peter Lim, and other personalities in the illegal drugs operations.
Espinosa mentioned he obliged as Dela Rosa warned him that if he didn’t follow the plan, he and his family would share the same fate as his father, former Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. Espinosa Sr. was killed inside the Baybay City Provincial Jail in an alleged shootout with CIDG personnel.
The "war on drugs" campaign, launched by Duterte in 2016, was widely criticized by human rights groups for alleged extrajudicial killings.
Many suspected drug offenders were killed in Davao City, where Duterte served as mayor for over 20 years.
