Several active and retired police officers have expressed willingness to shed light on the bloody anti-illegal drug war of the Duterte administration, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said Friday.
“Marami na po ang nagpapadala ng feelers dito sa Quad Comm na maaaring makatulong sa ating investigation,” Barbers told reporters in an interview.
He was referring to the comprehensive inquiry that would look into possible connection between illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), drug trafficking and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Barbers is one of the chairpersons of Quad Comm, or four-committee panel.
“Lahat po nang gustong magsabi ng katotohanan dito sa ating committee hearings na gagawin ng Quad Comm, welcome na welcome po ‘yan at ‘yan po ay tatanggapin natin,” he said.
He said the joint panel would vet those volunteering to become witnesses and assess the information they have.
Barbers said the prospective informations can testify in open hearings or in closed-door sessions if the information would involve national security or endanger their safety.
“Nasa kanila po yan. Kung gusto nila mag-testify o magbigay ng information in an open hearing…o hindi kaya kung executive session, kung naniniwala sila na ‘yung kanilang informasyon na isi-share sa amin, merong national security implication,” he added.
However, Barbers told potential informants that they cannot demand any concession in exchange for speaking up.
“Ngunit, wala po sanang kapalit na hinihingi. Dahil hindi po natin ito-tolerate ‘yung mga kapalit. Ito po ay gawin natin para sa bayan. Hindi po ito para sa kung kanino man. Ito po ay para po sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino. Basta ang ating layunin dito, ang ating pakay ay ilabas ang katotohanan sa mga usapin ng bayan na dapat malaman ang ating sambayan ng Pilipino,” he stressed.
Barbers refused to identify the retired and active policemen who he said have sent feelers to Quad Comm.
He also would not say whether they include Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. who has reportedly offered to reveal what he knows on EJKs and former President Duterte’s anti-drug was provided he was appointed Philippine National Police chief.
“As to who they are, kung sino-sino itong mga ito, siguro for the meantime, medyo i- anonymous muna natin to protect also their safety. Kasi nga, baka biglang matakot at hindi na po tumuloy. So, we're very, very careful about this because we want to help them too,” he said.
He said Quad Comm would have an organizational meeting on Monday, with which the panel would also prepare for its first hearing on Aug. 15 to be conducted in Pampanga, where an illegal POGO hub in Porac town has been shut down and where P3.6-billion worth of shabu was seized in Mexico town in September 2023.
“And all those people we invited sa POGO hearing, the likes of the mayor of Porac, the mayor of Bamban, yung acting mayor ngayon, the CIDG personnel, the PAGCOR officials, and some PNP generals, including General Caramat, and we will also invite maybe General (Eleazar) Mata ng Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group,” Barbers added.
Asked why the panel chose Pampanga as the venue for its first hearing, the Mindanao lawmaker said:
“Kasi ang ano natin, mayroon pa tayong witnesses na nandyan dyan malapit sa lugar na yan na pwedeng humarap at pwedeng magbigay ng information. Kaya dadalhin natin ang committee dyan sa lugar na yan ngayong August 15,” he said.
“Kasi dun nga sa usapin ng POGO, human trafficking, torture, human rights violation at saka yung alleged drugs, eh maaring mayroon mga mag-share mga information dyan,” he said.
Comments