DAVAO CITY —Former President Rodrigo Duterte is now at the Congress’ Quad Committee as it resumes hearings on the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that marked his administration’s war on drugs. The hearing is expected to address long-standing questions and concerns about human rights abuses that occurred during Duterte’s six-year tenure, which was defined by an aggressive anti-drug campaign.
The Quad Committee, comprising representatives from four key congressional committees, had initially adjourned its hearing after an initial inquiry. However, Duterte himself issued a public challenge, urging the committee to continue the investigation and declaring his readiness to participate. In response, committee members agreed to resume the hearing, emphasizing their commitment to providing a thorough review of the controversial period.
Duterte has expressed his willingness to participate in what could become a ten-day marathon hearing, a rare commitment for a former head of state facing congressional scrutiny. The extended timeframe is expected to provide ample opportunity for lawmakers to question Duterte directly and for the former president to present his side of the story.
“This is an opportunity for him to respond to accusations that have persisted since the beginning of his presidency,” a member of the committee stated, adding that Duterte’s challenge and willingness to appear may signal his intention to clarify his legacy on this contentious issue.
Focus on Extrajudicial Killings and Human Rights Concerns
The Quad Committee’s inquiry centers around thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings that occurred as part of Duterte’s anti-drug operations, which led to widespread criticism from international and local human rights groups. During his presidency, Duterte often defended his war on drugs as a necessary measure to combat crime and narcotics, even as critics accused his administration of disregarding due process and human rights.
Committee members are expected to probe Duterte on key issues, including:
- The Chain of Command: Lawmakers will likely scrutinize the directives and protocols in place during the drug war to assess whether there was a systemic pattern of abuse sanctioned from the highest levels.
- Accountability Mechanisms: Questions are expected regarding measures that were—or were not—in place to ensure accountability among law enforcement officers involved in the campaign.
- International Criticism and Investigations: Lawmakers are also likely to address Duterte’s response to investigations by international bodies, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has been examining human rights violations linked to the anti-drug campaign.
