A House leader has proposed a motu proprio congressional investigation into the criminal and administrative cases filed against police officers involved in the anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The aim is to address the impact these cases have on officials, particularly lower-ranking officers.
Rep. Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, who co-chairs the Quad Committee, said that many low-ranking police officers are now facing legal consequences for actions they claim were ordered by their superiors during the height of the war on drugs.
Fernandez, who also chairs the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, emphasized the urgency of conducting the investigation and stressed the need to support affected officers.
“I mean iyung mga kapulisan under my committee, actually tinitingnan ko po na bigyan ng isang motu propio investigation on this matter, kasi nga ang policy po ng former government ay iyun pong talagang negation, neutralization,” (Many of the police officers under my committee are looking into this matter. The policy of the former government was clear—neutralization and negation were the orders) said Fernandez.
In the latest Quad Committee hearing on Wednesday, Duterte admitted he was unaware of the number of police officers dismissed or charged while carrying out his controversial anti-drug campaign, which led to thousands of deaths.
Fernandez highlighted that some officials did not realize their orders could have legal repercussions, with many believing they were following directives from the law, including instructions from Duterte and former police chief, now Senator, Bato dela Rosa.
Fernandez pointed out that many of these officers are now facing severe consequences, including dismissals and criminal charges.
“Sabi nga ni Chief PNP maraming mga pulis ang mga na-dismiss, 195 yung mga na-dismiss tapos 398 facing dismissal. So papaano iyung pamilya nila? Nawalan sila ng jobs, nawala iyung kanilang life, iyung kanilang dignity as well in following those orders,” (As Chief PNP has said, 195 officers have been dismissed, and 398 are facing dismissal. What about their families? They’ve lost their jobs, their dignity, all because they followed those orders) Fernandez added.
He also recalled that Duterte openly stated he would be held accountable for the actions of police officers during the drug war.
Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte also agreed with Fernandez’s call for a probe.
“Base po sa datos na binigay ni Chief PNP Marbil ay marami pong miyembro ng PNP ay nahaharap sa mga kasong administratibo at kasong kriminal and nangangailangan po sila ng abogado,” (According to data from Chief PNP Marbil, many PNP members are facing both administrative and criminal cases, and they need legal assistance) said Barbers.
Barbers noted that most of the police officers feel aggrieved, saying they were not supported by the Duterte administration.
“Isa lang ho ang kanilang sinasabi na nasaan daw iyung pangako sa kanila na tutulungan sila sa mga kaso,” (They are asking, where is the promise that they would be helped with these cases?) Barbers added.