‘Superbody’ sets probe on extrajudicial killings

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The superbody tasked to handle cases on extra judicial killings will start working on January 8, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said on Wednesday.

The body, known as the Inter-Agency Committee on Extrajudicial Killings and Human Rights violation was created by President Benigno Aquino III pursuant to Administrative order no. 35.

It is composed of representatives from the Departments of Justice (DoJ), Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Defense (DND), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Office of the Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs, Presidential Human Rights Committee, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

De Lima said they have started an inventory of EJK cases to determine which should be prioritized.

“We have also formed a technical working group to expedite the processing of these cases,” she said.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and Human Rights  Chairperson Loretta “Etta” Rosales are expected to attend the meeting.