Philippine bishop and ex-ICC judge lead new inquiry into thousands of Duterte-era killings
The civilian-led panel will gather testimony and evidence for possible legal cases after authorities made little progress on killings linked to the drug war.
- On Wednesday, the Philippines launched an independent truth commission led by former International Criminal Court judge Raul Pangalangan to investigate alleged extrajudicial killings during the 'war on drugs', aiming to hold public hearings and compile referral-ready case files.
- Former President Rodrigo Duterte, who served from 2016-2022, was arrested last year and now awaits trial at the ICC in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity, which he denies. Within weeks of his 2016 election, drug-related killings spiked dramatically across Manila's poorest communities.
- Police report about 6,200 drug suspects were killed while resisting arrest, but human rights groups estimate the real death toll was in the tens of thousands. The commission comprises former human rights researchers and forensics specialists, issuing findings every six months.
- The commission's launch coincides with an ongoing manhunt for former police chief Ronald dela Rosa, a senator wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity, which he denies. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David stated the commission ensures victims' stories can be 'heard, verified, preserved and acted upon'.
- Activists accuse police of systematic murders and cover-ups, while police deny involvement in slum killings, attributing them to turf wars and vigilantes. Pangalangan stated the commission builds 'a credible truth record that can guide accountability, healing, reform, and the prevention of future violence' rather than replacing courts.
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Formally established yesterday, Cardinal David, bishop of Kalookan, the former judge of the International Criminal Court Pangalangan and a forensic pathology, will help the survivors and families mourning in the search for truth on one of the most painful pages of recent history. Every six months reports and recommendations on the work will be published.
Philippines: New inquiry launched into Duterte-era drug war
A former ICC judge and a Catholic bishop will lead the new EJK Truth Commission looking into the bloody anti-drug campaign under Rodrigo Duterte. The former Philippines' president is set to face trial in November.
Truth commission on drug war launched
Here are today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world: Philippine truth commission aims to investigate Duterte’s drug war Multi-sectoral groups launch the Philippine Truth Commission to investigate and document drug war killings in the country. Marcos in Japan: Security, energy, trade, and peace in a chaotic world President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s third visit to Japan focuses on the global oil supply and price cr…
Associated Press News
Philippine bishop and ex-ICC judge lead new inquiry into thousands of Duterte-era killings
A group led by a Roman Catholic bishop in the Philippines has launched a fact-finding body to document accounts of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drugs crackdown.
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