By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The House Quad Committee, during its year-end hearing on December 12, 2024, renewed its unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth and delivering justice in the cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and the illegal drug trade tied to former President Duterte’s war on drugs.
“Wala pong sisinuhin ang Quad Comm. There will be no sacred cows. We will leave no stone unturned in the search for truth, justice, and accountability,” Quad Comm lead chair, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, declared during the 13th hearing of the mega-panel.
Barbers, who also chairs the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, emphasized the undeniable connection between the drug war and EJKs, saying, “It was as if the war on drugs could not be carried out without killing thousands of people.” He described the alarming pattern of systemic violence and corruption that had been exposed over the course of the 12 previous hearings.
Barbers highlighted testimonies that implicated high-ranking officials, including former President Duterte, in a “reward system” for killing drug suspects. According to these testimonies, rewards for such killings ranged from PHP 20,000 to PHP 1 million. This was confirmed by former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma and corroborated by former National Police Commission Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo.
Barbers also pointed out that Duterte himself admitted during a testimony that police were instructed to fabricate resistance scenarios to justify killings.
“Kanyang inamin na inutusan nya ang mga kapulisan na patayin ang mga drug personalities, bagama’t sinabi nya na dapat ito ay manlaban, na kung hindi naman manlalaban ay dapat piliting manlaban upang ma-justify ang pagpatay sa mga ito,” Barbers stated.
The hearings also unearthed serious allegations against other prominent figures. Suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa accused former Philippine National Police Chief and now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa of involvement in the killing of his father, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa.
Espinosa also claimed that Dela Rosa was involved in framing former Senator Leila de Lima, resulting in her seven-year imprisonment despite a lack of solid evidence.
Barbers recounted how former Customs personnel Jimmy Guban, businessman Mark Taguba, and dismissed police colonel Eduardo Acierto implicated figures like Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, Vice President Duterte’s husband Manases “Mans” Carpio, and former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang in large-scale smuggling operations.
The committee also exposed connections between illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the drug trade, implicating former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, a Chinese national and major POGO operator. Guo was found to have laundered drug money through corporations linked to suspected drug lords Michael Yang and Lin Weixiong (also known as Alan Lim).
Additionally, former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque was implicated in lobbying the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on behalf of the POGO operator Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. Records also showed a sudden, unexplained surge in Roque’s declared assets, which he failed to adequately explain.
Barbers announced that the committee’s findings had led to the drafting of key legislative measures aimed at closing legal loopholes and ensuring accountability.
These include harsher penalties for EJKs, confiscation of properties tied to fraudulent documents, and granting government agencies greater authority to cancel fictitious corporate registrations.
Barbers also took aim at efforts to discredit the Quad Comm’s work. “Maraming bayarang trolls at kritiko na wala namang naintindihan sa usapin o sadyang ayaw umintindi,” he said. “But the truth will prevail.”
In conclusion, Barbers expressed his gratitude to the public for their trust and support, which, he emphasized, had empowered the committee to face every challenge, uncover the truth, and deliver justice.
“Dahil sa inyong kooperasyon, suporta, paniniwala at pagtitiwala, ang Quad Comm ay matagumpay na humaharap sa lahat ng pagsubok upang mabatid ang katotohanan at mabigyan ng katarungan at kasagutan ang ating mga hinaing, tungo sa tunay na kapayapaan,” Barbers said.
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