House quad comm invites Duterte to October 22 hearing | ABS-CBN
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House quad comm invites Duterte to October 22 hearing
House quad comm invites Duterte to October 22 hearing
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante attends the House of Representatives quad committee on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights and Public Accounts holds its hearing at the Villa De Bacolor Convention Center in Bacolor Pampanga on August 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante attends the House of Representatives quad committee on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights and Public Accounts holds its hearing at the Villa De Bacolor Convention Center in Bacolor Pampanga on August 16, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The House quad committee — four panels holding joint hearings on issued linked to the Duterte administration — has formally invited former President Rodrigo Duterte to its October 22 hearing on alleged extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs.
MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — The House quad committee — four panels holding joint hearings on issued linked to the Duterte administration — has formally invited former President Rodrigo Duterte to its October 22 hearing on alleged extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs.
“The Joint Committee respectfully invites you to attend the said inquiry to provide valuable insights and shed light on the issues under discussion particularly on extra-judicial killings,” a copy of the invitation dated October 18 reads.
“The Joint Committee respectfully invites you to attend the said inquiry to provide valuable insights and shed light on the issues under discussion particularly on extra-judicial killings,” a copy of the invitation dated October 18 reads.
The invitation was signed by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, lead co-chair of the quad comm. The hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday morning.
The invitation was signed by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, lead co-chair of the quad comm. The hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday morning.
In an interview on Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, a former district representative of Cavite, said he agreed with the move to invite Duterte.
“Well, I'm just a bystander, I'm just a spectator, but of course, it would help if the former president will attend,” Remulla said.
“Well, I'm just a bystander, I'm just a spectator, but of course, it would help if the former president will attend,” Remulla said.
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“Alam niyo naman na mahalaga na manggaling sa kanya yung mga remarks and responses to the questions (You know it would be valuable for the remarks and responses to the questions to come directly from him),” he said.
“Alam niyo naman na mahalaga na manggaling sa kanya yung mga remarks and responses to the questions (You know it would be valuable for the remarks and responses to the questions to come directly from him),” he said.
Duterte previously expressed openness to attend the Quad Comm hearing, hoping lawmakers would ask “educated questions”.
Duterte previously expressed openness to attend the Quad Comm hearing, hoping lawmakers would ask “educated questions”.
The former president was previously implicated in the August 2016 killing of three alleged Chinese drug lords inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm by its former warden and by a hired hitman.
The former president was previously implicated in the August 2016 killing of three alleged Chinese drug lords inside the Davao Prison and Penal Farm by its former warden and by a hired hitman.
Duterte’s former spokespersons dismissed the allegations as political attacks.
Duterte’s former spokespersons dismissed the allegations as political attacks.
He has also been implicated in an alleged financial “reward system” for cops who killed drug suspects in anti-narcotics operations. He has denied the allegation, saying police officers would not accept money since that would lead to their downfall later on.
He has also been implicated in an alleged financial “reward system” for cops who killed drug suspects in anti-narcotics operations. He has denied the allegation, saying police officers would not accept money since that would lead to their downfall later on.
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A human rights alliance called the denial an “attempt to rewrite history.”
A human rights alliance called the denial an “attempt to rewrite history.”
Speaking to Teleradyo Serbisyo on Sunday, Barbers, chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said the quad comm has a standing invitation for Duterte to speak at the hearings but that formal invitations have also been sent out.
Speaking to Teleradyo Serbisyo on Sunday, Barbers, chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said the quad comm has a standing invitation for Duterte to speak at the hearings but that formal invitations have also been sent out.
“Actually sumasagot na nga sila sa interview, matagal na. Alam na nila na meron nang invitation. Well, anyway, so yes, we have already sent invitations,” he said.
“Actually sumasagot na nga sila sa interview, matagal na. Alam na nila na meron nang invitation. Well, anyway, so yes, we have already sent invitations,” he said.
(Actually, they have been responding in media interviews. They know that there is an invitation, but we have already sent them out)
(Actually, they have been responding in media interviews. They know that there is an invitation, but we have already sent them out)
The quad comm has set two hearings for the coming week and expects two resource persons to discuss the alleged reward system.
The quad comm has set two hearings for the coming week and expects two resource persons to discuss the alleged reward system.
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“Ang inaasahang witness ay maaring mag-corroborate sa sinabi [former Police Col. Royina] Garma na meron talagang perang binabayad tungkol doon sa mga nakakapatay,” he said.
“Ang inaasahang witness ay maaring mag-corroborate sa sinabi [former Police Col. Royina] Garma na meron talagang perang binabayad tungkol doon sa mga nakakapatay,” he said.
(The witness we are expecting to appear may corroborate what Garma said that money really was paid out for those who kill drug personalities)
(The witness we are expecting to appear may corroborate what Garma said that money really was paid out for those who kill drug personalities)
Another witness is expected to give more details on allegations by Police Col. Jovie Espenido that there was a quota and reward system and it was "very known" within the Philippine National Police.
Another witness is expected to give more details on allegations by Police Col. Jovie Espenido that there was a quota and reward system and it was "very known" within the Philippine National Police.
“Meron itong categories, meron itong listahan. Kung sino ang nasa drug list ay yun ang target para i-eliminate, may categories ‘yan. Level 1, Level 2, Level 3,” Barbers said.
“Meron itong categories, meron itong listahan. Kung sino ang nasa drug list ay yun ang target para i-eliminate, may categories ‘yan. Level 1, Level 2, Level 3,” Barbers said.
(There are categories and there is a list. Those on the list are targets for elimination. There are categories, from Level 1, Level 2, Level 3)
(There are categories and there is a list. Those on the list are targets for elimination. There are categories, from Level 1, Level 2, Level 3)
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Barbers, a supporter and defender of the war on drugs during the Duterte administration, said that not all who were killed in the anti-drug campaign — the Philippine National Police acknowledges at least 6,000 killed in operations — were victims of summary killings.
Barbers, a supporter and defender of the war on drugs during the Duterte administration, said that not all who were killed in the anti-drug campaign — the Philippine National Police acknowledges at least 6,000 killed in operations — were victims of summary killings.
"Hindi naman po lahat ng namatay ay extrajudicial killings, meron din po talagang totoong nanlaban," he said.
"Hindi naman po lahat ng namatay ay extrajudicial killings, meron din po talagang totoong nanlaban," he said.
(Not all of those who were killed were victims of extrajudicial killings, some really did fight back)
(Not all of those who were killed were victims of extrajudicial killings, some really did fight back)
DUTERTE: NO REWARDS
Duterte, speaking on a Sonshine Media Network International, said there was no reward system in the drug war and that he never instructed police to kill a particular drug personality.
Duterte, speaking on a Sonshine Media Network International, said there was no reward system in the drug war and that he never instructed police to kill a particular drug personality.
"Walang pulis na papasok na ganon. Makukulong sila. Why would they accept that kind of agreement when it will later on bring their downfall. Walang reward 'yan. Hindi ako nagbibigay ng reward," he said.
"Walang pulis na papasok na ganon. Makukulong sila. Why would they accept that kind of agreement when it will later on bring their downfall. Walang reward 'yan. Hindi ako nagbibigay ng reward," he said.
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(No police officer would accept that. They would go to jail.)
(No police officer would accept that. They would go to jail.)
He said that he only reminded law enforcement personnel to shoot if an alleged drug personality resists arrest violently “because I do not want a police officer to die over a criminal.”
He said that he only reminded law enforcement personnel to shoot if an alleged drug personality resists arrest violently “because I do not want a police officer to die over a criminal.”
The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates called the denial “not just shameless, [but also] a direct insult to the thousands of Filipinos who suffered under his brutal regime.”
The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates called the denial “not just shameless, [but also] a direct insult to the thousands of Filipinos who suffered under his brutal regime.”
The group said that Duterte had “proudly announced millions in bounties for the capture or killing of drug lords” and is trying to whitewash the bloody anti-drug campaign.
The group said that Duterte had “proudly announced millions in bounties for the capture or killing of drug lords” and is trying to whitewash the bloody anti-drug campaign.
Duterte, who has a reputation for off-the-cuff statements that have been described as hyperbole and expressions of frustration, in 2017 announced rewards for the deaths of police officers linked to the illegal drug trade, dubbed "ninja cops".
Duterte, who has a reputation for off-the-cuff statements that have been described as hyperbole and expressions of frustration, in 2017 announced rewards for the deaths of police officers linked to the illegal drug trade, dubbed "ninja cops".
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"You policemen who are into drugs ... the bounty I'm offering for your head is P2 million. No questions asked. I will not ask who killed you," Duterte is quoted as telling police officers in southern Ozamiz City in August of that year.
"You policemen who are into drugs ... the bounty I'm offering for your head is P2 million. No questions asked. I will not ask who killed you," Duterte is quoted as telling police officers in southern Ozamiz City in August of that year.
In 2018, Duterte also offered Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit militia members a bounty of P2,000 for every alleged New People’s Army fighter, raising the reward in 2020 to P2 million for communist leaders killed or captured.
In 2018, Duterte also offered Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit militia members a bounty of P2,000 for every alleged New People’s Army fighter, raising the reward in 2020 to P2 million for communist leaders killed or captured.
“You should be the last person to deny these abuses of power, especially in light of your blatant arrogance and the disturbing threats you made to the public during your time in office,” PAHRA Secretary General Egay Cabalitan said in a statement on Sunday. — with Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
“You should be the last person to deny these abuses of power, especially in light of your blatant arrogance and the disturbing threats you made to the public during your time in office,” PAHRA Secretary General Egay Cabalitan said in a statement on Sunday. — with Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News
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