Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, co-chairman of the Quad Committee investigating the extrajudicial killings (EJKs) that occurred during the Duterte administration, on Thursday raised severe concerns over Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s decision to launch a Senate inquiry into the same bloody drug war, saying it was a “clear case of conflict of interest.”
Fernandez, chairman of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, slammed the move given that Dela Rosa had a prominent role as the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and critical enforcer of the controversial anti-drug campaign that killed thousands of Filipinos.
“Delicadeza na lang sana ang pairalin ni Sen. Bato. For me, it is highly inappropriate for him, the chief enforcer of the drug war, to lead a probe into the very operations he designed and implemented,” the chairman said.
“As the architect of the war on drugs, Sen. Bato would be practically investigating himself. This undermines the integrity and objectivity of any findings that may result from this investigation,” he added.
On Wednesday, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., co-chair of the House Quad Comm, expressed doubt over Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s ability to conduct a fair Senate investigation into the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.
Abante, who chairs the House Committee on Human Rights, argued that Dela Rosa’s close ties with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte could compromise the integrity of the upcoming Senate probe.
“I would think that he (Dela Rosa) would be more biased than balanced in that hearing,” Abante said during Wednesday’s press conference at the House of Representatives.
Fernandez noted that Dela Rosa’s leadership in the PNP during the Duterte administration was marked by widespread reports of EJKs, some of which have been linked to a cash rewards system allegedly designed to incentivize so-called “drug kills.”
This was at the center of ex-PCSO General Manager and former police officer Lt. Col. Royina Garma’s testimony, where she testified to the existence of a “Davao model” cash reward system for successful drug kills during the Duterte administration.
The controversial anti-drug campaign led to thousands of deaths, many of which remain under scrutiny by human rights organizations and international bodies.
“An inquiry into the extrajudicial killings must be impartial, transparent and independent. Sen. Bato will have none of that since he is part of the personalities being investigated. He cannot claim to offer any of these guarantees,” the chairman said.
“This Senate investigation risks becoming a whitewash if its leadership is not changed,” he added.
The Quad Comm chairman called on the Senate to assign a more independent senator to lead the inquiry, someone who has yet to be directly involved in executing the policies being scrutinized.
“Accountability requires that those who were part of implementing questionable policies take a step back from leading investigations into their actions. The Filipino people deserve a credible and honest probe, not one marred by conflicts of interest,” the chairman emphasized.
Fernandez reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to seeking justice for the victims of EJKs and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
“Now is the time for transparency, and we call on the Senate to do the right thing. Let an independent investigation proceed, free from the influence of those directly tied to the drug war’s darkest chapters,” he concluded.
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