House panel to probe killings in Duterte war on drugs

The House Committee on Human Rights will investigate the deaths attributed to the war on drugs under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, committee chairman Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante said on Thursday. 

Abante said a hearing on the matter has been set on May 22. Invited to the inquiry are relatives of the victims of the war on drugs, police officers, and former Cabinet officials. 

“Why are we conducting an inquiry into the deaths of alleged drug addicts or drug dealers? First, we must begin with the principle that each life is valuable and that each life lost is a profound tragedy,” Abante said at a press conference.

“Secondly, we must point out that those who lost their lives, like every Filipino, are protected by the rights granted by the Constitution, one of which is due process,” Abante added.

GMA News Online has reached out to the camp of the former President for comment. It will 

The nation, Abante said, owes the victims of drug war deaths justice. 

“They were not convicted, they were silenced. They were denied their rights. It is our responsibility to the victims and their families to seek the truth,” Abante said. 

Abante then said that his committee has the mandate tl diligently look into the accusations of human rights abuses amid the anti-drug war police operations.

Based on government records, around 6,200 drug suspects were killed during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug police operations.

Human rights organizations, however, say that the number may reach 30,000 due to the unreported related slays.

Duterte is under International Criminal Court probe over the alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration's anti-drug campaign. —NB, GMA Integrated News