Former President Rodrigo Duterte arrive at the Senate of the Philippines on October 28, 2024, to attend a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on extrajudicial killings, addressing alleged human rights violations from his administration’s war on drugs. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — The Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee on Monday kicked off its investigation into the previous administration's war on drugs, and immediately issued subpoenas on individuals who skipped the landmark probe.  

• 'I did what I had to do': Duterte defends drug war

While key personalities of the drug war such as former President Rodrigo Duterte and critic former Sen. Leila de Lima were present, others who shared bombshell revelations at the House quad committee, among them retired police official Royina Garma and alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, were noticeably absent. 

• Why Garma revealed details on 'cash-for-killings' under Duterte

• Bong Go defends Duterte after Garma exposé but distances self from drug war

Also absent were retired police officer Edilberto Leonardo, former PNP chiefs Oscar Albayalde and Guillermo Eleazar, and ex-Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Wilkins Villanueva, among others.

"[Let's] issue a subpoena to the original list of invitees na hindi pumunta ngayon, even those with excuse letters... Supoena na tayo diretso para sa next hearing hindi sayang ang panahon natin," subcommittee chair Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said.

(Let's go straight to a subpoena so we don't waste time)

• 'A blessing': De Lima says UniTeam split emboldened drug war confessions

Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said that those who skipped the probe may be evading the Senate so that their earlier exposés would not be "debunked."

Dela Rosa has been invited to hearings at the House quad comm but has begged off, citing inter-parliameentary courtesy. 

• Tearful Garma stops exit of drug war victims' families to apologize

"I would rather that next hearing, we have to require their presence because I can only surmise with their absence that they don't want their statements to be debunked before this body. Ayaw nilang lumabas ang katotohan kung ayaw nila pumunta dito (They don't want the truth to come out, that's why they aren't here)," Dela Rosa said.

Aside from those who skipped the first hearing, the panel also agreed to summon Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and former De Lima aide Ronnie Dayan. 

• Ronnie Dayan to face Senate, says Lacson

The Senate's move to conduct its own drug war probe had been floated following several exposés from the House quad committee accusing Duterte and Sens. Christopher "Bong" Go, and Dela Rosa of incentivizing drug war killings — which the two senators denied.

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