Manila 6th District Rep. and House Quad Committee co-Chair Bienvenido Abante Jr. urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman to file charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte, following his statement during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, October 28, on his administration’s drug war campaign.
The former President mentioned during the hearing, that is taking full responsibility for the extrajudicial killings that happened during the onset of the Administration’s war on drugs. The lawmaker reiterated that murder and extrajudicial killings are strictly prohibited, according to Philippine law. In a press conference on Tuesday, October 29, Abante stressed that Duterte’s admission is a “shocking normalization of brutality and death disregard for due process.”
Moreover, the House Quad Committee had uncovered evidence that could be used to bolster the allegations of the drug war victims’ innocence.
“We have testimony that shows the former President issued directives and gave the green light to a reward system that led to the deaths of innocents. If the former President says that he is taking responsibility for the illegal and fatal acts of law enforcement during his Administration, then he should be held accountable,” Abante said.
The lawmaker highlighted that Duterte’s testimony may be used to implicate him in both international and local courts, including the International Criminal Court (ICC). During Duterte’s presidency, Abante noted that the law and political considerations protected the former. But now, with the recent revelations, Abante thinks it can be considered as enough basis for both Philippine and ICC prosecutors to hold him accountable.
“While he was President, the law and political considerations protected him. But now, this admission might be seen as enough basis for both Philippine and ICC prosecutors to hold him accountable,” the lawmaker said.
During the Senate sub-committee hearing on Monday, Duterte emphasized his stance on drugs, citing that its implementation was to safeguard the people and his country.
The House Quad Committee had also conducted their investigation on the matter, inviting former police officials and those alleged to be involved in the drug trade, before a Senate hearing was proposed.
