Quadcom endorses crimes vs. humanity case against Duterte, 2 senators

UNDER PROBE. Former president Rodrigo Duterte attends an inquiry on his administration’s war on drugs at the House of Representatives on Wednesday (Nov. 13, 2024). Malacañang said the Philippine government would respect Duterte’s decision to surrender to the International Criminal Court in the event that he is found guilty of alleged crimes against humanity committed during the implementation of his anti-drug campaign. (Screen grab via House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The House Quad Committee (quadcom) on Wednesday recommended the filing of crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senators Christopher Lawrence Go and Ronald Dela Rosa, and other police officials in connection with the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration’s drug war.

Quadcom Chair Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers presented the 43-page progress report, which outlined the evidence, testimonies, and legislative recommendations based on the panel’s 13 hearings into the EJKs, illegal drugs, and illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The House of Representatives adopted the quadcom report during the plenary session.

The charges would be pursued under Section 6 of Republic Act 9851, known as the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.

The other officials named include former Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs Oscar David Albayalde and Debold Sinas, P/Colonels Royina Garma and Edilberto Leonardo, as well as Palace aide Herminia “Muking” Espino.

Barbers said Duterte admitted key elements of his administration’s drug war during a Nov. 13 hearing, which include the existence of the so-called Davao Death Squad and the Davao template of reward system for police officers involved in EJKs.

He said Duterte also assumed “full legal responsibility” for the bloody war against illegal drugs.

“The former President unequivocally confirmed the existence of the reward system targeting drug personalities and using leftover campaign funds to finance and support the reward system, in contravention of Comelec rules concerning the return of excess campaign funds,” Barbers said.

The report also criticized Duterte’s inflated claims about drug users to justify the systematic killings that occurred, noting his pronouncement of “four million drug users” lacked basis.

Citing a Dangerous Drugs Board study, the report said the previous administration’s drug war resulted only in a slight decline in the number of drug users in the country.

“At the start of his term, Duterte pronounced that there were four million drugs users. That figure did not come from the DDB or any other known source,” the quadcom report said.

Former Senator Leila De Lima, who served as a resource person during quadcom hearings, said Republic Act 9851 is clear that “systematic killings under the drug war are crimes against humanity.”

During the hearings, former PNP officer Royina Garma revealed details of the so-called “Davao Model,” which allegedly rewarded police officers for their involvement in EJKs.

Garma also testified about the existence of the Davao Death Squad and the alleged execution of three Chinese drug lords inside the Davao Penal Colony on Duterte’s orders.

The mega-panel also uncovered POGO links to illegal drugs, money laundering, and other criminal activities.

Companies such as Empire 999 Realty Corporation, tied to Chinese drug lord Willie Ong, were found to use fraudulent documents to acquire land and assets.

Further investigation implicated Duterte’s allies, including Duterte’s son, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte; his son-in-law and husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, Manases “Mans” Carpio; and his former economic adviser Michael Yang, in drug smuggling operations.

Legislative recommendations

The quadcom has, so far, proposed four bills addressing EJKs, illegal drugs, and related crimes, which include: classifying EJKs as a heinous crime; prohibiting all forms of POGOs; enabling civil forfeiture of unlawfully acquired properties by foreign nationals; and allowing administrative cancellation of fraudulent birth certificates.

The quadcom’s report called for amendments to numerous laws, including the Local Government Code, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and the Witness Protection Act, to address legislative gaps exploited during Duterte’s administration.

On the issue of illegal drugs, Barbers recommended the revival of death penalty.

The quadcom also recommended the creation of an inter-agency body to investigate EJK, as well as the establishment of the Internal Affairs of the PNP as an independent and autonomous agency.