Philippines Sets Up Commission to Probe Duterte's Anti-Drug Campaign

A new commission in the Philippines aims to document and investigate alleged human rights violations during Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign. Spearheaded by a Roman Catholic bishop, the initiative seeks to uncover truths, aid victims, and achieve justice and healing for affected families and the nation.

A coalition led by a Roman Catholic bishop in the Philippines has initiated a fact-finding commission to investigate the alleged human rights violations during former president Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug operations. The commission aims to assist the government by documenting witness testimonies and other critical details to potentially prosecute implicated law enforcement officials.

During his term, Duterte, who left office in 2022, was accused of crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court in The Hague following his controversial anti-drug campaign that drew sharp criticism from international bodies. The former national police chief and Duterte's ally, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, is also wanted by the ICC as a co-accused, although he is reportedly in hiding within the Philippines.

Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, spearheading the newly-formed 'EJK Truth Commission,' stressed the importance of the initiative in bringing healing to the victims' families and restoring the country's dignity. The commission, headed by former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan, plans to hold public hearings to give victims and families a platform to share their experiences. These efforts are intended to counteract what Pangalangan describes as a pervasive 'conspiracy of silence' surrounding these events.

The commission is seeking wider support from civil society, academia, and international benefactors to ensure its agenda moves forward. Forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun noted challenges in their task, recounting cases where official records were falsified to obscure the true cause of death for several victims. Her observations reinforce the need for robust investigation to unearth the truth and combat attempts to deny accountability.