Jamayka Rhose Pascual

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering issuing former President Rodrigo Duterte a subpoena as part of its investigation into extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the war on drugs.

Photo Courtesy of Rappler.

According to DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Andres, the DOJ National Prosecution Service is reviewing the evidence provided by the House of Representatives’ quad committee.

“The committee report is a good starting point for the Department of Justice, National Prosecution Service to tie up all of these evidence, together with (those gathered by our) initial task force on EJKs. This will help us build up the case so that the thousands of victims who are still crying for justice will finally have closure,” he said in a chance interview.

The findings include disclosures and admissions that could lead to charges against Duterte and his close allies during the war on drugs.

Officials named for prosecution include senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Bong Go, alongside former police chief Debold Sinas.

Andres then pledged that the DOJ would only pursue cases supported by substantial evidence, ensuring no room for harassment charges.

“We will not spare any possible criminal offense or charge that will be supported by evidence,” Andres stated.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and delivering justice.

“If it is something that is viable under the rule of law, cases will be filed and people will be held legally accountable, whoever they may be,” Address added.

Duterte is also under the International Criminal Court’s probe for crimes against humanity, citing between 12,000 and 30,000 deaths during his presidency and Davao City mayoralty.

“Because that is the usual case when there is an extrajudicial killing–the maximum case is normally murder. But now it’s different. In addition to murder, we are also studying the possibility of filing charges for violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against humanity,” Andres emphasized.

He also confirmed that Duterte’s public statements under oath could serve as evidence in court.

The former president, no longer immune from prosecution, now faces direct legal accountability.
The DOJ aims to consolidate evidence from its task force and the quad committee to bolster its case.

Investigations are already covering the 2016 killings of three Chinese drug lords at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm.

Officials are also probing the 2020 assassination of Wesley Barayuga, a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office executive.

“We will talk to all the possible resource persons there (Quad Comm) and if needed, we will grant them the stature of a state witness if their testimony is very much needed to ensure the conviction of the real perpetrators,” Andres reported.