Manila Philippines — The Minority Bloc in the House assured that Congress will undergo a thorough investigation after summoning of Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief and now Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa over the blooding campaign of the previous administration against illegal drugs.
According to the minority bloc in the lower chamber of Congress, those behind the so-called Extra Judicial Killings (EJK) which allegedly stemmed from Duterte’s directive must be held accountable.
“…former President Rodrigo Duterte should be invited to the hearings regarding Project Double Barrel with Oplan Tokhang because it is out of the references or existing law, memo or order, but if you have a reference to be implemented by the PNP and other agencies Oplan Tokhang used to be,” according to Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel.
It is also said that the previous administration needs to explain the unfulfilled six-month commitment given by the former president to suppress illegal drugs in the country.
“…it also emerged in the hearing that there are many things that even the former PNP Chiefs cannot explain themselves when the words used such as “negation” and “neutralization” of drug suspects are left vague,” he added. by Manuel.
During the first 17 months of the Duterte’s administration, 20,322 alleged drug suspects were killed because of Oplan Tokhang, which is equivalent to 40 people died every day.
Even the International Criminal Court (ICC) also wants to investigate the violation of human rights by the previous administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Yesterday, Manuel reopened the issue of summoning the previous administration regarding Oplan Tokhang.
Because of this, the House is inviting the former president and dela Rosa after approval by the House Committee on Human Rights Chairman and Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante to the investigation hearing related to the bloody ‘war on drugs’ campaign.