CRIMES LINKED TO DRUG WAR In this Sept. 13, 2024 photo, the quad committee of the House of Representatives resumes its investigation into the cases of extrajudicial killings under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. (Picture from HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Members of the House of Representatives quad committee looking into President Rodrigo Roa Duterte鈥檚 bloody drug war offered to shoulder his airfare and accommodations just so he could attend its hearings.
Quad comm leaders 鈥� namely its chair聽 Robert Ace Barbers; co-chairs Dan Fernandez, Bienvenido 鈥淏enny鈥� Abante Jr., and Joseph Stephen 鈥淐araps鈥� Paduano; vice chair Romeo Acop; Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio 鈥淒ong鈥� Gonzales Jr.; and Deputy Speaker David 鈥淛ay-jay鈥� Suarez 鈥� likewise offered to fund the expenses of his entourage.
In a statement on Sunday, lawmakers said they made the offer 鈥渢o remove any financial barriers Duterte cited as reasons for missing the panel鈥檚 November 7 hearing.鈥�
READ: Former President Duterte skipping House quad comm hearing on drug war
鈥淚f finances are truly an issue, we鈥檙e ready to cover his travel and accommodations ourselves. This is about the people鈥檚 right to know the truth about alleged abuses in his administration鈥檚 anti-drug operations,鈥� Barbers said.
Paduano expressed his frustration saying that Duterte seemed to be intentionally avoiding accountability.
鈥淣aglolokohan tayo dito. Natatakot siya na pumunta dito?鈥� Paduano asked, referring to a letter from Duterte鈥檚 lawyer, Atty. Martin Delgra III, which cited health reasons for the absence of the former chief executive.
(We are fooling ourselves here. Is he afraid to come here?)
鈥淭he committee is willing to help in any way possible. We鈥檙e all ready to contribute personally if that鈥檚 what it takes. This is about accountability, not excuses,鈥� Fernandez, for his part, said.
Abante added they are 鈥渙ffering to remove every obstacle.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e even willing to 鈥榗hip in鈥� if it means he can no longer avoid the inquiry. The victims鈥� families deserve the truth,鈥� he said.
In a letter sent to the office of Barbers, Delgra said that he received the mega panel鈥檚 invitation on behalf of his client last November 2.
Upon consultation with his client, Delgra said Duterte opted to skip the probe.
Duterte expressed doubt about the integrity of the quad comm and 鈥渢o save the government time and taxpayer鈥檚 money鈥� since he already attended a recent Senate hearing probing a similar matter.
Although the former president 鈥渞espects and recognizes the authority of the Honorable Committees to conduct inquiries, in aid of legislation,鈥� Delgra noted that his client 鈥渋s already doubtful鈥� of the mega panel鈥檚 integrity, as well as its 鈥渋ndependence, and probity.鈥�
Based on reports, Duterte鈥檚 war on drugs left at least 6,000 people dead.
However, human rights watchdog Karapatan said the former chief executive should be held accountable for the extrajudicial killings of 30,000 individuals allegedly involved in drugs, the alleged summary execution of 422 political activists, and the reported frustrated extrajudicial killings of 544 other persons.