Duterte, De lima, and EJK victims’ families attend Senate probe into drug war

DAVAO CITY – Former President Rodrigo Duterte, ex-Senator Leila De Lima, and families of victims of reported extrajudicial killings convened at a Senate probe examining the controversial drug war that led to over 6,000 deaths during Duterte’s administration.

In his opening statement, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentl addressed the magnitude of the issue, saying  “Sobrang dami naman yan para sabihin na nanlaban lahat,” he remarked, highlighting concerns over the legitimacy of the police accounts.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa emphasized the importance of truth in the investigation, stating, “Truth telling needs no dressing up for the occasion. Lying, on the other hand, requires fabrication.” He urged the Senate to conduct a thorough and transparent inquiry.

While Senator Francis Tolentino, who was once a member of Duterte’s political party said everyone must be given “Presumption on regularity and balancing the general public interest and individual rights,” asking those in attendance to respect everyone.

Senator Risa Hontevirus said, Duterte as the architect of the war on drugs will be able to answer all the questions about “The death of 122 minors, saying in a day 32 killed in Bulacan in 2017 while another 26 in 2017 in Maynila, did they all fight back?” Honteviros asked .

As the hearings unfold, calls for accountability and clarity grow louder, reflecting a society grappling with the complexities of a contentious anti-drug campaign

Duterte’s presence will enlighten the still unanswered questions on the implementation of the war on drugs during his administration.

.The probe aims to answer the cries for justice from affected families and assess the systemic failures that led to widespread violence.