The House Quad Committee, on Thursday, October 17, welcomed the plan to convene the Senate as Committee of the Whole to investigate the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
The idea was proposed after former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PSCO) general manager Royina Garma, linked Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go in the previous administration's war on drugs. Garma’s testimony revealed that both Senators were involved in the process of the EJKs and rewards system.
Committee Chairman and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, clarified that dela Rosa should not be included in the said investigation as it will be a conflict of interest.
He stressed that Dela Rosa should not be allowed to lead the investigation, as he was tied to the crimes being investigated by the Committee.
Meanwhile, Barbers expressed his support to Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ proposal to convene the Senate Committee of the Whole, amid dela Rosa's proposal to investigate the war on drugs. He added that the new Committee under Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, has power to hold all those involved in the crimes accountable, including government officials.
Through the approval of the said Committee, the war on drugs will be investigated under the Committee of the Whole, and not by the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which is headed by Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa served as Duterte's former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief and led the implementation of the war on drugs in its early years.
