HOUSE QUAD COMMITTEE CHALLENGES ‘BATO’ AND BONG GO’S DENIALS OF EJK REWARD SYSTEM

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Key leaders of the House Quad Committee have asserted that evidence contradicts the denials of Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Bong Go regarding a cash reward system linked to extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the Duterte administration.

This was the contention of Representatives Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, and Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila, who led the four-committee panel, known as the Quad Comm.

The committee is currently investigating issues involving EJKs, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and illegal drugs.

“Ang ebidensiyang nahukay sa Quad Comm ay sumasalungat sa pagtanggi nina Senador Bato at Bong Go ukol sa pagkakasangkot sa EJK o sa pagkakaroon ng reward system na alam ng publiko noong nakaraang administrasyon, lalo na sa Philippine National Police (PNP),” said Fernandez, Chair of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.

Fernandez noted that at least two witnesses—retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma, and Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido—testified that a payout system for hitmen targeting drug suspects existed.

“Hindi lang ito umiiral; pinamamahalaan pa ito ng mga nasa itaas, ibig sabihin, ng Malacañang (Duterte administration),” he added.

Barbers, lead chair of the Quad Comm and head of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, highlighted Espenido’s testimony that millions, possibly billions, in rewards “flowed from the level of Sen. Bong Go, a close aide of former President Rodrigo Duterte.”

Quoting Espenido, Barbers said the reward system was funded through money from jueteng and other illegal gambling activities, intelligence funds, PCSO’s controversial small-town lottery (STL), and POGOs.

“Our impression is that intelligence funds came from both the Office of the President and the PNP. Once these funds are audited, we’ll know who is telling the truth: Sen. Bato and Sen. Bong Go, or Garma and Espenido,” Barbers said, adding that he leans toward believing the two witnesses over the senators’ denials.

Regarding funds from POGO, jueteng, and STL operators, Abante, co-chair of the committee and head of the House Committee on Human Rights, emphasized that evidence suggests “these funds indeed flowed from the top.”

Abante also pointed out that testimony established that in 2016, Dela Rosa and Go were seen in a meeting with President Duterte, senior police officers including Garma, and now-National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo. The meeting reportedly took place at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office in Davao City.

According to Abante, witnesses claimed the “Davao City EJK template and reward system” was discussed during that meeting. A few weeks later, killings of drug suspects by police and riding-in-tandem gunmen began. “Hindi mahirap i-konekta ang mga pangyayari,” Abante remarked.

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