Solons call for filing of charges vs. Duterte over drug war deaths

Former president Rodrigo R. Duterte. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Several lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Monday called for the filing of charges against former president Rodrigo R. Duterte after he said during a Senate hearing that he will take “full legal responsibility” for alleged extrajudicial killings under his anti-drug campaign.

In a statement, Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list led the calls for accountability, emphasizing that Duterte’s admission leaves no room for ambiguity.

“The former president has publicly accepted responsibility for these deaths,” Acidre said. “If we truly stand by our principles of justice and the rule of law, then Mr. Duterte must be held accountable.”

Acidre said it is the responsibility of the state to penalize those who have committed infractions of the country’s laws, even those belonging to the highest positions in government.

“The wheels of justice must take its due course. Charges must then be filed and if proven guilty, Rodrigo Duterte must go to jail,” Acidre said.

Acidre pointed out that the problem in the drug war of the previous administration was its “harsh and bloody” implementation, alleging that it violated human rights under the 1987 Constitution.

“Ang resulta: Nalihis tayo sa landas ng hustisya, at nagresulta ng maraming nakitil na inosenteng buhay (The result: We veered away from the path to justice, and this policy claimed innocent lives),” Acidre said.

House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales’ 1st District said Duterte’s admission offered an opportunity to reaffirm the country’s commitment to the rule of law.

“This is a critical time for our institutions to show their strength by pursuing the legal accountability that so many families have waited for,” he said.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo stressed that no one is above the law, regardless of their stature in society.

“This admission should galvanize us to reinforce our commitment to justice and human rights. We owe it to the victims and to the Filipino people to prove that our institutions can and will deliver justice,” Dimaporo said.

House Assistant Majority Leader Mika Suansing of Nueva Ecija’s 1st District said the judiciary and investigative bodies must ensure that justice is upheld, stressing that they have a duty to act on this admission.

“The former president’s own words must be met with a serious response. For too long, victims of EJKs (extrajudicial killings) have waited for answers,” Suansing said.

House Quad Committee co-chair Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila’s 6th District, meanwhile, urged the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman to study the filing of charges.

Abante pointed to evidence unearthed during the House investigation, suggesting Duterte’s endorsement of a “reward system” that allegedly led to the deaths of drug suspects.

“If the former president says he is taking responsibility for the illegal and fatal acts of law enforcement during his administration, then he should be held accountable,” Abante said.

He said Duterte’s admission could implicate him in both Philippine and international courts, including the International Criminal Court.

Abante noted that Philippine law prohibits murder and extrajudicial killings and warned that Duterte may no longer be shielded from investigation and prosecution.

“While he was president, the law and political considerations protected him. But now, this admission might be seen as enough basis for both Philippine and ICC prosecutors to hold him accountable,” Abante said.

During the Senate hearing, Duterte said in his opening statement that for the “successes and shortcomings” of his administration’s war on drugs, he alone takes “full legal responsibility.”

“Sa lahat ng nagawa ng pulis pursuant to my order, ako ang managot at makulong (For everything the police have done pursuant to my order, I will be held responsible and be jailed),” he said.

Former senator Leila De Lima, when asked by Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada why she didn’t pursue alleged EJK cases during Duterte’s tenure as mayor, said she did not have enough evidence and no witness was willing to come forward.

De Lima was Justice secretary from 2010 to 2015 during the Aquino administration, a “very, very powerful position” which she could have used against Duterte, according to Estrada.