Rodrigo Duterte may be invited to House probe into EJKs — lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines — House lawmakers are considering inviting former President Rodrigo Duterte to the quadcom's investigation into drug-related extrajudicial killings after his name was mentioned by several implicated resource persons.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, October 9, Rep. Bienvenido Abante (Manila, 6th District) said that the joint committee may invite Duterte “by the next hearing on EJKs.” 

Abante, who co-chairs the House quadcom, expressed his appreciation for Duterte's openness to attend. 

Duterte told reporters at a press conference on October 5 that he is willing to attend the congressional probe into his administration’s EJKs but also hopes lawmakers “would ask educated questions.” 

However, Abante said that the quadcom may not invite him at this time, given the number of resource persons already invited and have yet to be questioned in connection with retired police chief Royina Garma’s cases.

Meanwhile, Rep. Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa, Lone District), another co-chair of the quadcom, clarified to Philstar.com that the House mega panel’s investigation is a “continuing invitation” for Duterte. 

Fernandez explained that having the former president attend one of the hearings would give him the opportunity “to shed light on many issues” surrounding extrajudicial killings and to defend himself against the allegations made by victims of the drug war.

“It is a continuing invitation for the former president … that will give a better view for us to recommend better legislation and also for the former president to ventilate his position on some allegations pertaining to what the victims of the war on drugs were saying,” he said. 

Some resource persons and victims of Duterte’s war on drugs allege that the former president is responsible for all the killings. 

“I think it is high time and a welcome recourse for him to be present at the hearing of the quadcom,” Fernandez added.

Dismissed police lieutenant colonel Santie Mendoza said during the seventh hearing that he “felt pressured” to carry out the assassination of Wesley Barayuga, the former board secretary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). 

He attributed the pressure to the close