President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for a meticulous evaluation of the proposed charges of crimes against humanity against former President Rodrigo Duterte, linked to the extrajudicial killings during the previous administration’s drug war. This statement came after the House of Representatives Quad Committee suggested charging Duterte, along with Senators Christopher Lawrence Go and Ronald Dela Rosa, and other police officials involved in the anti-drug campaign.
Marcos indicated that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would be responsible for reviewing the committee’s recommendations. He acknowledged the process, stating, “The quadcom has a recommendation, and that’s part of the process.” He explained that the findings from the oversight hearings would be forwarded to the DOJ, which would then decide on the feasibility of filing cases and the nature of the evidence required.
The President stressed the importance of a thorough review to ascertain the appropriateness of the charges. He noted, “We’ll look into that. There’s still much to assess regarding what the case could be and whether the direction of the House committees’ recommendations is correct.”
The potential charges fall under Section 6 of Republic Act 9851, the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity. The quadcom report also mentioned former Philippine National Police chiefs Oscar David Albayalde and Debold Sinas, Colonels Royina Garma and Edilberto Leonardo, and Palace aide Herminia “Muking” Espino.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the quadcom, revealed that Duterte admitted to key aspects of the drug war during a hearing on November 13, including the Davao Death Squad and a reward system for police officers involved in extrajudicial killings. Barbers stated that Duterte took “full legal responsibility” for the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs.