DOJ to look into whether cold EJK cases were rightfully dismissed 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will look into whether cases of extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs were rightfully dismissed due to lack of evidence or if they should be investigated further, National Prosecution Service Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said Wednesday.

In an ambush interview, Fadullon said that murder or homicide cases have a prescriptive period of 20 years.

“So there’s nothing which will prevent us from looking into cold cases, cases which were probably filed as complaints before law enforcement but never reached the prosecution office,” he said. 

“So these are cases that we will look into together with the current leadership of the DILG. And our prosecutors will be there to help go over the view and screen these cases to find out if dapat talaga i-dismiss dahil kulang ang ebidensya o meron karapat dapat tignan,” he added.

(So these are the cases that we will look into together with the current leadership of the DILG. And our prosecutors will be there to help go over the view and screen these cases to find out if they should have been dismissed due to lack of evidence or if they should be investigated further.)

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has formed a task force made up of prosecutors and National Bureau of Investigation agents to investigate EJKs.

Fadullon said this was a big task, but added that all big tasks started somewhere.

“Sisimulan natin sa maliit at kung halimbawa tayo ay mag tagumpay doon sa pangangalap ng ebidensya doon sa maliliit na kaso, well chances are we persevere—we will be able to help develop cases for filing,” he said.

(We will start with small cases and if we are successful in getting evidence for them, well chances are we will be able to develop cases for filing.)

In October, Remulla said that no one will be spared in the government’s investigation into cold EJK cases.  

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

Authorities have said that there were about 6,000 drug suspects who died during operations, but human rights groups claimed the number could reach as high as 30,000 due to unreported killings.

LOOK: Newly appointed Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon today took his oath of office before Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla. #DOJPH#BagongPilipinas pic.twitter.com/Xs7CdjgYYI

— Department of Justice (DOJ) (@dojphofficial) November 6, 2024

Meanwhile, Fadullon earlier took his oath before Remulla.

He said Remulla told him to be relentless in all investigations and prosecutions.

“You can be assured that whatever cases we will be filing, chances of getting a conviction will be much, much higher than before,” he said. — BM, GMA Integrated News