Latest news with #EJKs
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
CHR mulls completion of EJK probe by end of the year
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is eyeing to wrap up its years-long investigation into the alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) under the Duterte administration's bloody drug war by the end of the year. CHR Commissioner Richard Palpal-Latoc on Monday said the commission has motu proprio investigated at least 4,000 cases of EJK-related deaths from 2016 to 2022. 'We investigate these cases to determine human rights violations,' Palpa-Latoc told the House Quadcomm during the continuation of the hearings on extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and illegal drugs. 'Sa ngayon, majority of these cases ay di pa tapos ang investigation because of the lack of cooperation from the PNP to share information regarding the cases,' he added. Palpal-Latoc also said the CHR experienced being denied access to evidence to EJK-related cases. However, he said newly installed PNP Chief Nicolas Torre expressed his commitment to cooperate with the CHR probe. 'The Commission has experience denial on different reasons by the PNP — access to records, police reports, and other pieces of evidence,' said Palpal-Latoc. Data from the PNP indicated there were 6,000 deaths during operations under the drug war. 'After the hearing, the chief PNP directed all units involved where the human rights is asking for the case folders of all these cases to cooperate, to provide. We already given orders in this regards,' Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay said. 'The directive is already there. Should any of our units refuse, please inform us,' he added. Manila Representative Benny Abante urged coordination between the two government bodies. '[Dapat] maging open tayo sa lahat ng ating pag-iimbestiga sapagkat napakatagal ng panahon eh. Pinag-uusapan natin ang alleged EJKs na nangyari from 2016 to 2022, 2025 na ngayon, three years na yan. Dapat magkaroon na tayo ng closure tungkol dito,' Abante said. In March, former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by Philippines authorities on the basis of the arrest warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the alleged human rights abuses under his war on drugs. At least 6,200 suspects were killed in police operations based on government records under the controversial war on drugs. Data from human rights groups, however, said the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
NBI investigating ties between POGO, espionage
'In some operations by the NBI relative to the issues on foreign espionage, nakita namin," NBI Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin told the House Quadcomm during the continuation of the hearings on extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and illegal drugs. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating the potential connection between illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and espionage in the country. 'In some operations by the NBI relative to the issues on foreign espionage, nakita namin," NBI Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin told the House Quadcomm during the continuation of the hearings on extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and illegal drugs. "We're completing our data on the nexus, the interconnection between the operations of POGO and espionage. And once we're done with the investigations on this, we will submit a copy of our report,' NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin told the House Quadcomm hearing on extrajudicial killings and illegal drugs. 'We have filed cases against a good number of foreign nationals involved in the various espionage activities,' he added. Lavin said POGO operators shifted to various types of operations following the ban on online gambling. The new operations include financial scamming and espionage activities, according to Lavin. Asked if the NBI probe meant the POGO is interrelated to the espionage activities in the country, he answered: 'We're going in that direction." "We're doing some digital forensic examination on the gadgets we seized during the various operations, both financial scamming activities and espionage activities," Lavin said. Lavin said the NBI is also coordinating with other government agencies, including BI, PNP, and PAOCC for the probe. 'We're exhausting all means to come up with the expectations, not only of this honorable committee, but of the Filipino public,' he added. In March, the Department of National Defense announced that six foreigners and two Filipinos linked to suspected espionage and kidnapping activities were arrested in Grande Island, Subic Bay. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
29-05-2025
- GMA Network
Urns of 5 ‘EJK victims' in Duterte's drug war laid to rest at Dambana ng Paghilom
The urns of five alleged victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the war on drugs of the Duterte administration were placed in a columbarium at Dambana ng Paghilom on Thursday. According to Allan Gatus' report on Dobol B TV on GTV, these remains were at risk of being transferred to common graves. Program Paghilom has been helping widows and orphans of victims of drug-related EJKs for the inurnment and burial of the remains of their loved ones. 'Para sa lahat na biktima na ang labi ay nanganganib na maitapon o mailagay sa common graves,' Program Paghilom founder Father Flavie Villanueva said. (This is for all the victims whose remains are at risk of being thrown away or placed in common graves.) 'Welcome po sila sa Program Paghilom na may layuning maghandog ng paghilom sa kanilang mga sugat dala ng Tokhang at higit sa lahat mabigyan ng may dangal na himlayan ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,' he added. (They are welcome to the Program Paghilom which aims to offer healing to their wounds brought by the Tokhang and, above all, to give their loved ones a dignified resting place.) Program Paghilom now has 327 members. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Duterte's arrest marks progress toward justice for EJK victims, says ex-lawmaker
The arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte represents a major step forward in seeking justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration's drug war, according to Bayan Muna chairperson and former lawmaker Neri Colmenares, along with other progressive groups. In a statement, Colmenares expressed that while Duterte's arrest is long overdue, it sends a strong message that justice can be achieved through persistent effort. Duterte was detained by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in compliance with an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice, following an arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC). 'This arrest is a significant step toward justice for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations under his administration,' Colmenares, who also served as a co-counsel for the victims filing the crimes against humanity case with the ICC, said. 'While this arrest has been long awaited, it sends a powerful message that justice can be attained through continued struggle and perseverance. We have consistently called for accountability for the massive human rights violations during the Duterte administration, especially the thousands of lives lost in the so-called 'War on Drugs',' he added. Meanwhile, Teddy Casiño, chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, stated that the fight for accountability is far from over, as many of Duterte's alleged 'conspirators' remain unaccounted for. 'This may be a victory, but the fight is far from finished. Duterte's conspirators are still at large. There is still a long trial ahead. Many lives were lost, and even now, extrajudicial killings and red-tagging continue, despite Duterte no longer being in office,' Casiño said. 'Duterte's arrest is a crucial milestone in the quest for justice. It proves that no one, not even tyrants, can evade accountability. But we must not stop here. True justice is not just about an arrest; it is about court rulings, the imposition of penalties, and ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated. While justice may have taken time, today we take a major step forward,' he added. Over the weekend, rumors spread that the ICC would soon issue an arrest order for Duterte, due to mass murder charges related to his involvement in the crimes against humanity during his war on drugs. At the same time, Duterte, his family, and key allies traveled to Hong Kong to meet with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Duterte is facing crimes against humanity charges for his role in the drug war, during which thousands of individuals were killed. While the campaign was hailed by many, it was heavily criticized by human rights defenders for its violent and bloody nature. Colmenares was among the lawyers representing the complainants, who are relatives of drug war victims, in their case against Duterte before the ICC.
