13-11-2024 (MANILA) Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made a significant appearance before the House of Representatives on Wednesday, attending a crucial quad committee hearing investigating the controversial killings during his administration’s war on drugs.
The appearance, which had initially been scheduled for later this month, was brought forward after Duterte confirmed his attendance. The former president’s presence coincided with that of his prominent critic, former Senator Leila De Lima, and families of those who lost their lives in the anti-narcotics campaign.
At the heart of the investigation are allegations by former police official Royina Garma, who claimed Duterte had authorised a cash reward system for the deaths of drug suspects – accusations the former president vehemently denied during a recent television broadcast on SMNI.
The contentious drug war, launched immediately after Duterte assumed office in 2016, saw him explicitly authorising law enforcement to use lethal force against suspects if officers perceived their lives to be at risk. While official police figures report over 6,000 deaths, human rights organisations suggest the toll could reach tens of thousands, primarily affecting impoverished communities.
Despite widespread international condemnation and an ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation, only nine police officers have been convicted for killings related to the anti-drug operations. The campaign continues under current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., albeit with a shifted focus towards prevention and rehabilitation.
The relationship between the current administration and the ICC remains fraught, with President Marcos maintaining his predecessor’s stance of non-cooperation. The Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, initiated under Duterte’s leadership, has not deterred the tribunal, which asserts jurisdiction over killings that occurred before the country’s exit, including those in Davao City during Duterte’s mayoral tenure.
