DOJ: No shortcuts in probe of crimes vs. humanity case against Duterte

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

Andres said the DOJ has already established a task force on extrajudicial killings, and has started to collect evidence. (PNA file photo)

MANILA – A senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official on Thursday said recommendations to file crimes against humanity charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration’s drug war will undergo prompt and rigorous scrutiny by prosecutors, and assured that no unsubstantiated harassment suits will be lodged.

Speaking to reporters, DOJ Undersecretary Hermogenes Andres assured that prosecutors will be independently evaluating all the documentary evidence that will be sent to it by the House of Representatives Quad Committee (quadcom).

“Pag-aaralan ng mabuti ng Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS) ang lahat ng dokumento, ebidensya na ie-elevate ng ating quadcom doon sa kanilang (The DOJ-NPS will thoroughly review all documents and evidence that the quadcom will elevate through their) committee report that would possibly implicate people on crimes on humanity and international humanitarian law,” he said.

Andres said the DOJ has already established a task force on extrajudicial killings, and has started to collect evidence.

“Iko-consolidate natin ang lahat ng ebidensya kasama itong bagong (We will consolidate all evidence with the) committee report dahil dito po sa quadcom hearings ay marami po ang importanteng, mahahalagang impormasyon, pagsisiwalat at ebidensya at mismong pag-amin na possibleng magsimula ng mas malalim pang pagsususri at pagkalap ng ebidensya (because in the quad comm hearings, there were many important information, revelations and admissions that may help initiate a deeper investigation and collection of additional evidence),” he said.

“If the evidence warrants, we will proceed with the filing of cases through the National Prosecution Service. But we assure everyone kami po ay nakakasiguro na hindi po kami magpapa-file ng (we assure that we will not file a) harassment case. But when the evidence warrants, ‘pag meron po tayong sapat na ebidensya (if we have sufficient evidence), we will hold people accountable,” Andres said.

He noted that under the latest DOJ rules, the NPS will lead the case build-up in coordination with law enforcement agencies, along with the task force on EJKs.

“Patuloy po kaming nakikipag-ugnayan sa Philippine National Police (PNP), sa NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), at sa lahat ng law enforcement agencies para siguraduhin na lahat ng (We will continue to coordinate with the PNP, the NBI, and all concerned law enforcement agencies to ensure that all) relevant information, evidence, and admissions by the parties will be taken into account in completing our case build-up and, if warrant by the evidence, we will hold people legally accountable,” he explained.

The House quadcom on Wednesday recommended the filing of crimes against humanity charges against Duterte, Senators Christopher Lawrence Go and Ronald Dela Rosa, and other police officials.

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.