MANILA — New York City-based Human Rights Watch on Friday urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration to implement "sweeping reforms" to hold those involved in alleged abuses in the war on drugs, which committees of the House of Representatives have been holding hearings on.

READ: Quad comm to investigate how alleged drug war 'reward system' was funded

The statement comes after the resource persons at the House hearings alleged misdeeds in the Duterte administration's war on drugs, including a supposed cash reward system for suspected drug personalities killed in operations

Former Duterte administration officials Sens. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa and Christopher "Bong" Go have denied the existence of a reward system and have called for a parallel inquiry at the Senate..

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“Recent testimony in Congress brought to light the murderous police infrastructure during Duterte’s ‘war on drugs,’” said Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“President Marcos should take immediate steps for meaningful reforms to the Philippine National Police and other police agencies," she emphasized.

Lau encouraged the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to look into allegations of possible police misconduct and file appropriate charges in cooperation with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

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HRW also stated that the newly-appointed DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla should repeal the existing circulars in PNP that enable the conduct of the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

For DOJ, HRW hopes the agency will "act on the congressional testimony" through its own investigations.

“The Interior and Justice ministries need to follow-up on the congressional revelations and credibly investigate these ghastly crimes,” Lau said.

Both the DOJ and DILG said they are keeping an eye on the House hearings but will wait for the quad committee's initial report on the proceedings. 

“Concerned foreign governments and donors should press the Philippine government to respond promptly to ensure that state institutions are not misused to perpetrate such horrifying abuses ever again,” Lau also said.

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CALL TO COOPERATE WITH ICC

HRW highlighted that Marcos should now cooperate with the investigation of International Criminal Court (ICC) on Duterte's drug war — and on top of that, make necessary changes on how the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) functions.

Despite recent calls from lawyers like former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares to submit the House quad comm reports to ICC, the government is firm that it would not endorse the proceedings to the international court nor will it return to the court, which the Philippines left in 2019.

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The DOJ said it is recognizes all the appeals to rejoin the ICC, but it also explained that the department would adhere to the chief executive's instructions and foreign policy.

CHR HOPES TESTIMONIES CAN HELP ADVANCE JUSTICE

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is meanwhile optimistic that the recent testimonies at the House hearings can lead to "tangible progress in advancing justice for the victims of EJKs (extrajudicial killings)".

"The CHR is closely monitoring the testimonies and emerging pieces of evidence, which may contribute to our own ongoing investigations," the agency said.

"After years of raising concerns over the anti-drug campaign and relentless call for accountability, the CHR welcomes these promising developments that may contribute to the long-awaited pursuit of justice," it added.

The CHR did not have access to records on police anti-drug operations and was excluded from a government review of drug war cases during the Duterte administration, where the DOJ found breaches in protocol by law enforcement personnel.

In 2017, the CHR faced the prospect of an annual budget of just P1,000 over criticism by members of the House for "not upholding the human rights of everyone" and for supposedly failing to go after criminals.

Aside from CHR, the PNP has announced it will form a committee to probe the high-profile killings during Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs, as well as former ex-police official Royina Garma's claims that there were cash rewards for police who were able to kill drug suspects.

Malacanang has expressed its support for the PNP's plan.

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