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EJK probe won’t spare Duterte
By Nidz Godino
“Whoever it may be…we all know that it is important to reveal truth to public,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said. government’s investigation on cold cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) will spare no one not even former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose so-called war on drugs led to deaths of thousands of drug suspects.
Remulla made this clear as Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have begun taking another look at killings of drug suspects by security forces in the name of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Remulla stressed importance of uncovering truth behind killings, now also being investigated by International Criminal Court.
Remulla said there will be no sacred cows. “As long as we’re not favoring anyone… what’s important is that if you have wronged the society, you must pay for it…that’s all there is to it,” he said.
Remulla reiterated government would leave no cold case unresolved as he called on individuals with evidence or testimonies to come forward and assist Department of Justice in uncovering truth. “There will be no peace until we obtain justice…people’s peace of mind about attaining justice is most important thing in our society,” he stressed.
PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) acting director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III confirmed they are ready to file charges against anyone, including Duterte, if evidence warrants.
Torre said PNP-CIDG would work with NBI in looking into allegations of numerous killings raised during hearings by House of Representatives quad committee on EJKs. He noted that hearings had given hope to families of victims.
“It’s natural for families of victims to seek justice, and this is start of wheels of justice grinding for them,” Torre said.
“We will see what will be said, in what direction investigation on cold cases will go…if we see any link to whoever, including former president, then so be it, we will include them in charges if evidence warrants,” he added.
Torre outlined potential criminal liabilities of those involved in EJKs, depending on nature of their participation. “There are different kinds of principal accused direct participation, inducement or indispensable cooperation…we will assess evidence and categorize their roles accordingly,” he explained.
Former presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo, however, denied EJKs occurred during Duterte administration, asserting casualties were either suspects resisting arrest or members of warring drug syndicates. Panelo argued that if any extrajudicial killings were proven, charges would have been filed during previous administration.
Retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Royina Garma had testified during quad comm hearings that some police operations may have overstepped legal limits, and revealed Duterte himself had approved killings.
She had also linked Sen. Ronald dela Rosa to killings. This was denied by the senator, who offered to lead parallel investigation on EJKs.
ISKUP! 