Bill seeking to create an anti-extrajudicial killing council filed in Senate

Senator Leila de Lima (Photo: Chari Villegas/Senate Pool)

MANILA – A bill was filed in the Senate Wednesday on the creation of an Inter-Agency Council Against Extrajudicial Killings (Anti-EJK Council) to ensure that government law enforcement agencies prevent extrajudicial killings in the country.

Under Senate Bill No. 1197, Senator Leila de Lima seeks to address institutional barriers to an efficient investigation of extrajudicial killings among concerned government agencies.

According to the measure, the Anti-EJK Council will coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to adhere to standards in the conduct of regular police intervention operations.

It also seeks to provide penalty for acts that qualify as extrajudicial killings to ensure accountability of state and non-state actors, as well as paramilitary groups in compliance with the government drive for public order.

Any public officer, person in authority, agency of a person in authority or private individual who would be found guilty of extrajudicial killing would be imposed a life imprisonment without parole.

The local chief executive and chief of police will also be presumed administratively negligent when there is a notable increase of extrajudicial killing cases within their area of jurisdiction, except in conflict-stricken communities.

De Lima’s measure notes that the Council will be chaired by the justice secretary and will be composed of the heads of various concerned law enforcement agencies, such as the PNP, NBI, CHR and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

It will also be composed of the respective chairpersons of the Philippine Commission on Women and the National Youth Commission and will be represented by two nongovernmental organizations as appointed by the president.

“Extrajudicial killing has become a grave concern in our homes, within Philippine shores and around the world that demands only the most certain effort through legislation,” de Lima said.

As of Oct. 10, more than 3,000 deaths have been recorded since the intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign of the current administration began last July 1.

Out of this number, more than 1,000 died in police operations and more than 2,000 in extrajudicial or vigilante-style killings.