QuadComm to release ‘progress report’ on EJK, illegal drugs, POGO findings

The House Quad Committee is set to publicize a “progress report” based on the 12 long hearings tackling extrajudicial killings (EJK), dangerous drugs, and illegal activities linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), panel chairperson Robert Ace Barbers said Sunday.

Once approved by the plenary, Barbers said that the partial report will be issued before the House of Representatives adjourns for Christmas break on December 18.

“Meron kaming inihahandang progress report na kung saan ‘yung aming mga output o ‘yung produkto nitong ating ginawang 12 hearings sa QuadComm ay mare-report na namin sa taumbayan,” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We are preparing a progress report of the outputs or the products of the 12 hearings we did at QuadComm which we will report to the public.)

“Consolidated itong report na ‘to. Ang nilalaman nitong report ay ‘yung mga natalakay namin sa EJK, dangerous drugs, at dito POGO… Halos kasi magkakamukha ito at magkakamag-anak itong usaping ito,” he added.

(This is a consolidated report. It includes what we have discussed regarding the EJK, dangerous drugs, and POGOs... These issues are inter-connected.)

The QuadComm is composed of the House committees on dangerous drugs, public order and safety, human rights, and public accounts.

In the past 12 committee hearings since August, Barbers said a total of 18 bills were crafted as “remedial measures” to strengthen policies and prevent similar crimes from happening. 

“Isa sa lalabas sa aming recommendation ay ‘yung kung meron bang pananagutan ang mga taong gobyerno sa mga tiwaling nangyari o doon sa mga anomalyang nangyari,” the solon said.

(One of the things that will come out of our recommendations is whether government personnel are accountable for the corruption or anomalies that have happened.)

“‘Yung teorya namin na merong kinalaman ‘yung droga doon sa illegal POGO operations at doon sa paglo-launder ng pera, eh ‘yan ang aming papatibayan."

(We want to prove our theory that illegal drugs are involved with illegal POGO operations and money laundering.)

Barbers said another QuadComm hearing is scheduled this coming Thursday, and the hearings will continue next year once the session resumes in January.—RF, GMA Integrated News