Members of the Makabayan Coalition at the House of Representatives (HOR) criticized plans by Sen. Ronald de la Rosa to conduct investigations on the Rodrigo Duterte regime’s bloody drug war, calling it a desperate attempt to save his neck.
In separate statements, House Deputy Minority Floor Leader and ACT Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel said de la Rosa is aiming to sow confusion on the issue he himself was deeply involved in.
“The sincerity and objectivity of this proposed investigation are in question, as it seems to serve as a diversion rather than a genuine effort to uncover the truth,” Castro said.
“What’s that? Inquiry in aid of legislation or he only wishes to exonerate himself, (former president Rodrigo) Duterte and others involved in the extrajudicial killings?” Castro asked.
After being implicated in the ongoing investigations at the HOR by former subordinate at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Col. Royina Garma, de la Rosa said the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs will “definitely” start a motu proprio investigation before the regular session resumes on Nov. 4.
De la Rosa was PNP director general when the Davao City killings of suspected drug personalities were made nationwide through Oplan (Operation Plan) Double Barrel.
At least six thousand suspected drug personalities died in a killing rampage ordered by Duterte and chiefly implemented by the PNP under de la Rosa.
Both Duterte and de la Rosa are also being investigated by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
Also implicated by Garma as a conduit of reward money for police officers who killed drug suspects, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go earlier said he is willing to file a resolution to investigate allegations on the drug war.
The planned Senate investigation is a “desperate diversionary tactic,” Brosas said.
“Sino ang iimbestigahan niya? Sarili niya?” Brosas asked. (Who will he investigate? Himself?)
Brosas pointed out that public funds should not be squandered on inquiries that are engineered to absolve rather than to uncover the truth.
“The Filipino people deserve accountability and justice for the thousands of lives lost and families shattered by this bloody and anti-poor war on drugs. This Senate probe, spearheaded by those deeply implicated, cannot be expected to deliver that,” Brosas said.
Manuel said that congressional investigations should not serve as shields to senators who are themselves involved in the “fake war on drugs.”
“Investigations at the HOR and the Senate should be in aid of legislation, not in aid of self-preservation,” Manuel said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
