Marbil urges ex-PNP chiefs to clarify roles in Duterte drug war

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rommel Marbil on Sunday called on former PNP chiefs to clarify their involvement in the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte, following retired police colonel Royina Garma's claim of a payment and rewards system for killing drug suspects.

"We take these allegations very seriously. We will thoroughly investigate Garma’s claims to ensure accountability and transparency within our ranks," Marbil said in a statement.

He added the PNP is preparing to look into the allegations involving former PNP chiefs.

Garma earlier revealed that Duterte asked her to look for an officer who would implement the Davao model of the war on drugs on a national scale, a system where one is rewarded up to P1 million for killing drug suspects.

In her affidavit, Garma claimed Senator Christopher "Bong" Go and former National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo were among those involved in the implementation of the campaign.

Leonardo served as commander of the Manila Manila Police District Moriones Police Station in 2017 during Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs.

In response, Go over the weekend said Garma’s claims were ‘unsubstantiated,” as he denied that there was a supposed “reward system,” and dismissed claims that he was involved in handling the money for the supposed system.

Marbil also announced that the PNP would implement measures to strengthen public confidence and prevent similar abuses in future operations.

“Our commitment to human rights and accountability is paramount. We must work diligently to regain the trust of the people and ensure that law enforcement operates within the bounds of the law."

Marbil added the PNP is dedicated to upholding justice and restoring public trust and faith in its operations, and protecting human rights in all aspects.

According to human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, more than 20,000 people were killed in the drug war based on the 2017 year-end accomplishment report of the Duterte administration.

Government records show that there were at least 6,200 drug suspects killed in police operations from June 2016 to November 2021, but several human rights groups have refuted this and say that the number may have reached as much as 30,000 due to unreported related killings.

During Duterte’s term in 2019, the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute or the treaty that established the ICC, after the tribunal started a probe into his drug war.

To recall, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in January 2023 authorized the reopening of an inquiry into Duterte’s war on drugs.

The ICC Appeals Chamber in July 2023 also denied the government’s plea against the resumption of the inquiry, prompting numerous government officials to speak against continued engagement with the ICC.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who led the campaign against illegal drugs, earlier this month said he has already received interview questions in connection with the ICC investigation into the matter.

For his part, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. previously said the government would not serve any arrest warrant from the ICC against Duterte, and that he does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines. — Mariel Celine Serquiña with Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/RF/BM/KG, GMA Integrated News