The Quad Committee of the House of Representatives recommended the filing of criminal cases against Former President Rodrigo Duterte and several allies for crimes against humanity as a result of the bloody war against drugs during his administration.
After 13 hearings the committee came up with a 45-page report recommending among others the filing of cases against Duterte for violation of Republic Act 9851 or the Act Penalizing Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
Aside from Duterte, the committee also recommended filing of similar cases against the police chief and now Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa and then Special Assistant to the President now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go.
The committee also recommended the filing of cases against other former police chiefs Oscar Albayalde and Debold Sinas, former police officers Royina Garma and Edilberto Leonardo and former palace aide Herminia “Muking” Espino who were all implicated in the nationwide implementation of the war on drugs.
For POGO related cases the committee recommended the filing of human trafficking and graft and corruption charges against Dismissed Bamban, Mayor Alice Guo.
The house panel also recommended the re-opening of the cases on the killings of former PCSCO Board Secretary Wesley Barayuga, Albuera Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa and the three Chinese nationals in the Davao Penal Colony (DAPECOL).
Quad Committee Overall Chairperson and Surigao Representative Robert Ace Barbers also announced the filing of legislative measures that address the gap in the country’s legal framework.
Among the 30 bills presented for legislation are House Bill 10986 or the Proposed Measure Classifying and Penalizing Extra Judicial killings (EJKs) as Heinous Crimes, House Bill 10987 or a Measure Prohibiting all forms of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), House Bill 11043 or Civil Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Properties and House Bill 11117 or Administrative Cancellation of Birth Certificates Fraudulently Obtained by Foreign Nationals.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.