DOJ's Remulla says no one will be spared in probe on cold EJK cases

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday said that no one will be spared in the government’s investigation into cold cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the war on drugs.

“Kahit sino pa. Alam naman natin na mahalaga na isambulat natin ang katotohanan sa taumbayan,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

(Whoever they may be. We know that it is important to reveal the truth to the public.)

When prompted if this included former President Rodrigo Duterte, Remulla answered that there will be no sacred cows in the investigation.

“Basta wala tayong sinasanto. Ang mahalaga, kung meron, kung nagkasala ka sa lipunan ay pagbayaran mo. ‘Yun lang naman yun eh. it’s crime and punishment,” he said.

(There will be no sacred cows here. What is important is if you commit a crime you should be held accountable for it. That’s all. It’s crime and punishment.)

The Justice Secretary stressed that authorities will not let go of cold cases.

He called on individuals who may be willing to testify and give evidence to coordinate with the DOJ.

“Kasi walang katahimikan hanggang walang hustisya. I really think that people’s peace of mind about attaining justice is the most important thing in our society,” he said.

(There will be no peace until we obtain justice. I really think that people’s peace of mind about attaining justice is the most important thing in our society.)

Earlier in the day, Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) acting director Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III said that the CIDG will file charges against anyone, including Duterte, if warranted.

For their part, former presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo denied that there were EJKs during the previous administratino. He said Torre knew that there were supposedly no EJKs as he had been a police officer for a long time.

"Those casualties either resisted or put at risk the lives of the law enforcement agencies. Others were the result of the internecine war between drug syndicates," Panelo said in a statement.

"If there was evidence on extrajudicial killings on the part of the police operatives, Torre would have already filed the cases against the errant cops during his sting in the previous administration," he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News