By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is hopeful that the Senate investigation will bring accountability to the perpetrators and all those involved in extrajudicial killings during the previous administration.
“The Commission remains optimistic that the testimonies and sworn statements presented in the Senate hearings, along with the Quad Committee hearings in the House of Representatives, will help bring full justice to all,” CHR said in a statement on Wednesday (30 Oct 2024).
The Senate blue ribbon committee earlier conducted an investigation into the war on drugs under the Duterte administration, during which former President Rodrigo Duterte attended the hearing.
Meanwhile, CHR expressed concern over Duterte’s testimonies, particularly his statement that he would “rather have suspected drug dealers killed” than allow them due process, as well as his admission of encouraging law enforcement in the past to taunt suspects to justify “neutralizing” them.
“The Commission has long condemned such statements, which embolden law enforcers and foster a culture of abuse and impunity.”
The Commission noted that such remarks align with findings in CHR’s April 2022 report on the anti-illegal drug campaign, which highlighted a pattern of law enforcers alleging that victims either initiated aggression or resisted arrest (“nanlaban”).
“This is a clear violation of Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which upholds every person’s inherent right to life and their right to legal protection.”
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