'A platform for the accused': Groups question Senate's drug war probe

MANILA, Philippines — As the Senate opened its probe into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs on Monday, October 28, two organizations representing victims of extrajudicial killings questioned the hearing's impartiality. 

Rise Up for Life and for Rights and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), represented by human rights lawyers Neri Colmenares and Kristina Conti, said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee includes members facing allegations alongside Duterte. 

“Today, as an investigation into the ‘war on drugs’ by the Senate opens, we are aghast that it has become a platform for those involved and accused,” the statement read. 

They were referring to Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, Duterte’s former special assistant when he was president, and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, his police chief and the drug war architect.

The House Quad Committee, which was the first to conduct a congressional probe into the EJKs, revealed through testimonies from police lieutenants appointed by Duterte that Go and Dela Rosa are allegedly involved in the bloody war on drugs and the reward system for every killed drug suspect.

RELATED: 'Davao Model' exposed: Ex-PNP officer Leonardo validates drug war reward system 

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s first hearing on Monday, Go devoted over 15 minutes in his opening speech to defend himself and Duterte against the allegations.

This is contradictory to Go’s statement in an interview on Sept. 24, 2019, where he said that a reward would be given to those who kill "ninja cops," referring to police officers involved in the illegal drug trade.

“I think he will personally announce to the public kung sino po yung sangkot na ito. At importante po na si pangulo ang magsasabi. Sabi niya, karapatan po ng Pilipino malaman kung sino po ang ninja cops. Nabanggit din po niya, nandyan pa rin po ‘yung reward na kanyang sinabi noon. P1 million sa mga ninja cops patay. ‘Pag buhay, kalahating milyon lang po. ‘Pag lumaban, P2 million,” Go said.  

(I think he will personally announce to the public who is involved in this. It is important for the president to make this statement. He said that it is the right of the Filipino people to know