MANILA — Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte has urged the House of Representatives to conduct a broader inquiry into extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses in the Philippines, as far back as the year 1999. 

In a release, Duterte said he filed House Resolution No. 1745 where he said he particularly wanted to cover the investigation "for a period of at least 25 years up to the present."

Duterte urged House committees to launch a nationwide investigation, in aid of legislation, and include areas identified to have been involved or have a history of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses.

 The Makabayan bloc in the House however sees the call of Duterte as a way to divert attention to the human rights violations committed under the war on drugs of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"When it comes to rights violations under a drug war, hindi natin maikakaila na meron talagang spike ito sa ilalim ni Rodrigo Duterte dahil pa lang sa approach niya at mismo sa mga verbal orders niya at kahit written na guides ng PNP," Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel said.

"Kaya dapat pag-ingatan ang mga motibo sa mga ganoong tipo ng sinusulong through that resolution," he said.

Extrajudicial killings in the Philippines remain a "serious problem" and "many of the drug-related ones peaked in 2023 or already at the time of President Marcos," Paolo Duterte's statement also said, citing the US Department of State and Amnesty International. 

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas however said the source of Paolo Duterte's resolution could not be trusted, finding it ironic coming from a Duterte.

"Hindi katiwa-tiwala ang source e. Kasi 'yung merong problema doon sa respect and protecting and fulfilling human rights, na hindi nag-adhere, sa previous administration nanggagaling ang ganoong pahayag, ganoong resolution, mula sa mga Duterte na mayroong ganitong track record on human rights violations kaya mapapa-isip ka, ironic, na nanggagaling sa ganito 'yung resolution na 'yun," Brosas said.

The Makabayan representatives reiterated their call to hold former President Duterte accountable for his bloody drug war, including other officials such as Sen. Ronald dela Rosa. They hope that the International Criminal Court will soon issue a warrant of arrest against the personalities involved. They also called for justice for victims of the drug war.

Former President Duterte launched a bloody war on drugs that saw thousands killed in what authorities claimed were legitimate police encounters.

Duterte and Dela Rosa are among the subjects of an ICC investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity allegedly committed in relation to their anti-narcotics drive.

House sets probe on killings linked to Duterte’s drug war

CHALLENGE TO SENATE

Brosas challenged the Senate to conduct a similar hearing to that of the House Human Rights Committee where Duterte officials admitted that human rights violations had been committed during the drug war.

Manuel said Rodrigo Duterte himself should be invited to the next House committee hearing and face the relatives of victims of the drug war.

 "Hindi ibig sabihin sa komite lang nangyayari ang investigation kaya dapat mag-proceed ang cooperation ng gobyerno sa ICC," Manuel said.

"Hence the call para sa ICC to come in and investigate. Magpatuloy ang imbestigasyon, papasukin sila, mag-issue ng warrant para kay Duterte," Brosas said.