De Lima: More witness to surface for drug killings probe
Senator Leila de Lima, chair of the justice committee on human rights claimed that more witnesses will be presented for the resuming of the hearing on drug-related killings on Thursday morning.
“After 3 weeks since the committee started its inquiry, we have yet to hear the testimonies of other witnesses who can provide not only the clearer and broader picture behind these killings but also any loopholes in enforcing our laws,” De Lima said on Wednesday.
The committee held hearings last August 22 and 23 and agreed to Senator Alan Cayetano’s request to suspend the investigation until after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos, to avoid embarassing President Rodrigo Duterte.
De Lima says the committee on justice together with the committee on public order and dangerous drugs will present more witnesses as they continur to look into the cases of extrajudicial killings and summary executions lined to Duterte’s war against drugs.
At least 9 witnesses are expected to testify on 8 cases, where 11 victims are involved, De Lima said.
“We have also invited other resource persons from the government sector, civil society groups and human rights advocates, as well as from the media. We hope to get their views and insights on this issue,” she added.
Duterte claimed that De Lima herself was a coddler of drug lords. She said her investigation was not meqant to derail the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“The Senate inquiry presumes at all times the regularity of police operations. We are here to find ways to help law enforcement agencies fulfill their mandate more efficiently through legislative action” and “without violating any human rights or disregarding the due process of the law,” she said.
Also called to testify are the heads of the following: Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Bureau of Investigation, Commission on Human Rights, Philippine Human Rights Information Center, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Karapatan, Free Legal Assistance Group, Philippine Institute of Human Rights, Ateneo Human Rights Centers and private media organizations. MJM
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| Photo by Manila Bulletin |
The committee held hearings last August 22 and 23 and agreed to Senator Alan Cayetano’s request to suspend the investigation until after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos, to avoid embarassing President Rodrigo Duterte.
De Lima says the committee on justice together with the committee on public order and dangerous drugs will present more witnesses as they continur to look into the cases of extrajudicial killings and summary executions lined to Duterte’s war against drugs.
At least 9 witnesses are expected to testify on 8 cases, where 11 victims are involved, De Lima said.
“We have also invited other resource persons from the government sector, civil society groups and human rights advocates, as well as from the media. We hope to get their views and insights on this issue,” she added.
Duterte claimed that De Lima herself was a coddler of drug lords. She said her investigation was not meqant to derail the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“The Senate inquiry presumes at all times the regularity of police operations. We are here to find ways to help law enforcement agencies fulfill their mandate more efficiently through legislative action” and “without violating any human rights or disregarding the due process of the law,” she said.
Also called to testify are the heads of the following: Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Bureau of Investigation, Commission on Human Rights, Philippine Human Rights Information Center, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Karapatan, Free Legal Assistance Group, Philippine Institute of Human Rights, Ateneo Human Rights Centers and private media organizations. MJM
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De Lima: More witness to surface for drug killings probe
Reviewed by Kristian S.
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15 September
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Reviewed by Kristian S.
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15 September
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