Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs should clarify their roles in the Duterte administration鈥檚 drug war, according to the organization鈥檚 top boss General Rommel Francisco Marbil.
He urged the ex-PNP chiefs on Sunday after retired police colonel Royina Garma alleged that former President Rodrigo Duterte and high-ranking PNP officials during his administration sanctioned covert operations replicating Davao City鈥檚 model of extrajudicial killings on a national scale.
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鈥淲e take these allegations very seriously. We will thoroughly investigate Garma鈥檚 claims to ensure accountability and transparency within our ranks,鈥� Marbil said.
He added that the probe is crucial for the PNP to restore the public鈥檚 trust as it conducts a 鈥渞ecalibrated anti-drug campaign aimed at prioritizing human rights.鈥�
During the House of Representatives鈥� Quad Committee hearing last Friday, Oct. 11, Garma revealed a matrix suggesting the involvement or awareness of former PNP chiefs in covert operations.
In her affidavit, Garma also disclosed that Duterte allegedly contacted her about the creation of a national task force, and among the key figures in implementing the reported scheme was Colonel Edilberto Leonardo.
According to Garma, Leonardo purportedly collaborated with Duterte and his aide, now Senator Christopher 鈥淏ong鈥� Go, to establish a new task force comprising of 鈥渓iquidators鈥� nationwide.
She also named several members of the Philippine National Police Academy classes of 1996 and 1997, whom she claimed participated in the operations.
She also said Leonardo allegedly 鈥渃onducted briefings鈥� for all Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency officials, PNP chiefs, and regional directors 鈥渞egarding operations.鈥�
鈥淎dditionally, if any individual died during police operations, Leonardo reported the incident to Bong Go for inclusion in his weekly report and requests for refunds of operational expenses,鈥� Garma said during the hearing on October 11.
鈥淟eonardo had the final authority to determine who would be included on the list of drug personalities and to classify their threat levels, as well as the discretion to remove individuals from the list,鈥� she added.
Marbil assured the public of the PNP鈥檚 commitment to human rights and accountability, adding that measures would be implemented 鈥渢o strengthen public confidence and prevent similar abuses in future operations.鈥�
Meanwhile, Garma said she would reveal more details and names in an executive session with the House Quad Committee.