Senator Risa Hontiveros considers former President Rodrigo Duterte as the epitome of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and the war on drugs, stressing the importance of his perspective in the ongoing investigation of the Quad Committee.
On Friday, October 18, the Senator held a press conference, expounding on the proposal to form the Senate Committee of the Whole. Hontiveros pushed for one whole committee as it can provide a deeper and detailed investigation on the war on drugs. This would also allow affected families to speak up on their experience.
Comparing Inquiries in the Past and Present
The EJKs were first brought to light in previous Senate hearings, during Duterte's regime. At that time, Hontiveros recalled the hostility of the previous Administration.
The resource persons questioned were not forthright, often exhibiting fear. With that climate ground, Hontiveros said that their inquiry also came with intense social media attacks towards the senators and victims. This narrowed hopes on attaining additional information on the events that transpired during the drug war.
With the proposal of forming an additional committee, Hontiveros mentioned the importance of providing a safe space for people to come forward, without fear.
On Getting Duterte's POV
To get to the root of the issue, officials are looking to invite the former President to get his own perspective on the matter.
"Tingin ko if we can get more of the perspectives of Duterte himself, whether as a resource person or submissions of the procurement of documentations, malaking bagay na yon. Lalo na at inaabangan pa din natin yung proseso ng International Criminal Court (ICC)," Hontiveros said.
"At least si Duterte hindi naman siya senador, hindi naman siya nag file para tumakbo bilang senador. Kung imbitahan siya bilang resource person na mag chair sa hearing, posibleng may marinig tayo sa kanya na dagdag, or mahingian siya ng documentary submissions," she added.
War on Drugs and its Victims
If the Senate pursues the creation of the Senate Committee of the Whole, and Duterte will be invited as a resource person, Hontiveros said that she will look forward to it.
"Para sa akin siya talaga yung epitome ng EJKs, siya yung epitome ng war on drugs. Pero kung ayaw ko siya matanong personally, sino ba naman ako? Mas grabe yung pakiramdam, sigurado ako nung mga naulila talaga at nabalo ng EJKs," she said.
Hontiveros cited data from several human rights organizations, stating that around 30,000 victims were killed during the campaign. However, out of the estimated number of victims, only two of those were given justice; one of them being, the 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar.
"I totally do not expect na may ibang perspektibang lalabas tungkol sa war on drugs. Kasi sa usapin pa lamang ng karapatang pantao, basang-basa na ang papel sa war on drugs,” Hontiveros stressed.
“Tulad nung sa ibang bansa na nagsagawa ng war on drugs, yung atin dito ay talagang napaka madugo at madaming inosente (na buhay ang nawala). At lahat ng EJKs walang due process sa nangyari sa kanila," she added.
On Thursday, October 17, Hontiveros proposed the creation of the Senate Committee of the Whole to expand the probe on Duterte's war on drugs.
This was after Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go urged that the Senate also conduct their own investigation on the matter.
