House Deputy Minority Leader and Act Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro stated that the circulating report of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa leading an investigation into the war on drugs through the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, which he chairs, is a way to evade accountability.
"Talagang natatawa ako na sino ba ‘yung iimbestigahan niya? ‘Yung sarili niya? ‘Yung mga pulis? Ang tanong nga namin doon bakit hindi siya nagpa-imbestiga o nag-inquest doon sa 6000 or more na mga namatay na mga biktima ng war on drugs. Ang sinasabi nga namin ay pagtatakip sa sarili niya," Rep. Castro said in an exclusive interview with DZRH for Damdaming Bayan on Thursday.
"Parang iimbestigahan niya ‘yung sarili niya sa sarili niyang committee. So iyan ang dating sa amin at umiiwas siya doon sa accountability,"
According to Castro, it is clear that Bato was one of the architects or key figures behind the war on drugs, where a Memorandum Circular on 'Oplan Tokhang' was executed and implemented.
She further added that the House quad-committee investigation had already pointed to former President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bato as those responsible for the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred.
Castro notably cited the pronouncements made on national television and radio, as well as statements by Duterte ordering a shoot-to-kill directive, as evidence further implicating their role in the bloody campaign against illegal drugs in the country.
"Sa kanyang committee, kung magiimbestiga siya, ipapalabas niya ba ‘yon?" Castro asked.
The congresswoman stated that the panel respects the interparliamentary courtesy between the chambers. However, they remain open to having Duterte and others attend to shed light on the issues.
"Anyway, lumalabas naman na po ang mga hinahanap nating impormasyon at data doon sa mga nagiging resource person," Castro stated.
"Sa October 22 po ang next hearing ng Quad Comm at mayroon pa rin po kaming mga isisiwalat na mga data at information para mas mapatibay ‘yung ating mga hypothesis regarding sa accountability ni President Duterte, Sen. Bato, at iba pa," she added.
Will the House committee recommend filing charges against personalities involved in the war on drugs?
Castro stated that if the evidence and data gathered by the quad-committee prove that Duterte and Dela Rosa are indeed accountable, they will recommend filing criminal charges against them.
Castro mentioned that the committee will most likely release partial recommendations and results by October 22, as the panel already conducted eight hearings.
"Pati nga ‘yung confidential at intelligence funds sa panahon ni Duterte ay iimbestigahan na namin kasi malaki iyan, more than P4 billion mula noong maupo siya. Tinitignan namin baka ito ‘yung ginamit sa war on drugs at reward system," said Castro.
Castro clarified that the actions of Congress are not politically motivated, but rather for the families and victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) who are seeking justice.
She further stated that the victims should not have been killed. If there is indeed a drug problem, she emphasized that it should be addressed through due process, such as imprisonment or rehabilitation.
