The House Quad-Committee on Wednesday recommended filing crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte (FPRRD), Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and other key figures for their alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs.
In his speech, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers stated that the recommendation was drawn from the progress report of the House panel after holding 13 committee hearings.
The report focused on issues concerning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), illegal drugs, and the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that took place in the country.
Barbers pointed out that former President Duterte and his allies were allegedly involved in crimes against humanity, citing Section 6 of Republic Act 9851, also referred to as the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
Included in the panel's recommendation is the filing of cases against two former Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs, Oscar Albayalde and Debold Sinas, who held their positions during the past administration.
The panel also recommended filing charges against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager PCol. Royina Garma, who allegedly revealed the "Davao model" and the killings of individuals linked to the drug war.
Charges were also recommended against former Assistant Secretary Irmina “Muking” Espino, who served in the Office of the Special Assistant to the President under Christopher “Bong” Go, for her alleged involvement in disbursing rewards to police officers responsible for killing drug suspects.
Furthermore, Barbers also highlighted the recommendation to file charges against FPRRD, Garma, PCol. Edilberto Leonardo, SPO4 Arthur Narsolis, and former Davao Penal and Prison Farm head Senior Supt. Gerardo Padilla, who are allegedly implicated as co-conspirators in the deaths of three Chinese nationals inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm on August 13, 2016.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Balansyado, Senator Dela Rosa stated that he anticipated the recommendation to file charges against him.
"They are moving heaven and earth talaga to make life difficult for us. ‘Yun naman talaga ang kanilang pakay, ang i-demolish ang Duterte at kanyang mga kaalyado," said Dela Rosa.
He further stated that he will face the charges against him once they are formally filed. Additionally, he expressed confidence that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will conduct an investigation into the issue, assuring that all sides will be heard.
The senator claimed that the House panel is trying to escalate the situation to "demolish" him and other individuals involved in the issue, particularly with the elections approaching.
"Kapag kaming dalawa ni Sen. Bong Go ay hindi mananalo next year dahil na-demolish kami, wala nang haharang dito sa Senado sa impeachment nila na gagawin kay VP Sara," Dela Rosa stated.
Dela Rosa expressed his confidence in the Philippine judicial system, stating that "the Court never sleeps, and neither does God," assuring that justice will be served.
