Senate panel to launch own probe on Duterte’s drug war

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa (File photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs is set to open a motu propio (on its own) investigation on former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, panel chairperson Senator Ronald dela Rosa announced on Wednesday.

In a phone interview with reporters, dela Rosa said he will “definitely” start the investigation before the regular session resumes on Nov. 4.

“Kahit nakabakasyon tayo, naka-break ang Senate. Dahil kung mag-start pa tayo sa pagbalik after ng Undas, puro na tayo budget hearing (Even if we are on a vacation, the Senate is on a break. Because if we start when we come back after the All Souls Day, we will be full of budget hearings),” dela Rosa said.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go earlier said he is willing to file a resolution to investigate allegations on the drug war, emphasizing the public’s right to know the truth.

Dela Rosa, however, said he does not need to wait for it because he already has a previous resolution seeking an investigation into the allegations made by former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban that Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio are involved in illegal drug smuggling.

The former PNP chief said he is also planning to invite the former president, whom he trusts to attend the proceedings “because he’s more comfortable with the Senate compared to the House of Representatives.”

“I don’t think na hindi siya a-attend kung ako ang magi-imbita (that he will not attend if I will be the one inviting him),” dela Rosa said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, stressed the importance of including Duterte in the planned investigation to ensure justice and transparency.

“The testimony of the former president on the issue is crucial in uncovering the truth and ensuring that justice is served for all affected parties,” Estrada said in a statement.

During the Quad committee hearings in the House of Representatives, resource persons implicated Duterte, Go, and dela Rosa in the alleged extra-judicial killings during the drug war.

Duterte allegedly instructed high-ranking police officers to reward those who killed drug suspects, while Go received direct updates for reimbursement of operations.

Meanwhile, dela Rosa is accused of implicating former Senator Leila de Lima in the illegal drug trade.